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My research examines the evolution and psychological mechanisms of cooperation and social behavior across species. I focus on non-human primates that, being phylogenetically close to us, shed light on the evolutionary origins of human behavior, and dogs that, with traits shaped through domestication, may offer a case for convergent evolution.
My research examines the evolution and psychological mechanisms of cooperation and social behavior across species. I focus on non-human primates that, being phylogenetically close to us, shed light on the evolutionary origins of human behavior, and dogs that, with traits shaped through domestication, may offer a case for convergent evolution.
How do animals cooperate?
How do animals cooperate?
I investigate the mechanisms underlying animal cooperation and how they reflect the evolutionary pressures of the species. For instance, dogs have a unique evolutionary story, shaped by domestication and work alongside humans. How did this affect their cooperative skills? Do dogs use the same strategies cooperating with humans as they do with other dogs? My results suggest that their cooperation seems to rely more on leader-follower dynamics than on mutualistic cooperation, more often seen in primates. Another key mechanisms hypothesized to mantain cooperation is unequity aversion. Chimpanzees, bonobos, and capuchin monkeys often stop participating in tasks when they see others receive better rewards for the same actions. My research explores which factors drive these reactions.
Relevant Publications:
Martínez, M., Schöndorder, S., Robinson, L.M., Brosnan, S.F., and Range, F. (2024. Some dogs can find the payoff-dominant outcome in the Assurance game. iScience, 27(1), 108698. Link
Martínez, M., Robinson, L.M., Brosnan, S.F., and Range, F. (2023). Dogs take into account the actions of a human partner in a cooperative task. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 190(1993), 20222189. Link
Martínez, M., and Brosnan, S.F. (2025). Capuchin monkeys' responses to inequity in a group context. Animal Behaviour, 226, 123257. Link
What is "social" about social cognition?
What is "social" about social cognition?
Social animals must navigate interactions with others who have their own goals and strategies. This complexity may requiere specialized cognitive abilities to keep track of whom did what. Yet, these skills might rely on truly social mechanisms, or on simple asocial and associative rules. Conversely, some cognitive skills not usually thought of as "social" may actually support social behavior. For example, in humans the ability to reflect on our own mental states (metacognition) seems linked to understanding others' minds (theory of mind) seems to be connected in humans, and we don´t know if similar connections exist in non non-human primates. This is really uncharted territory and I am excited to start exploring it!
Relevant Publications:
(*) Indicates shared first authorship
Martínez, M., Babb, M.H., Range, F., and Brosnan, S.F. (2024). The Joint Simon task is not joint for capuchin monkeys. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 5937. Link
Hall, K.*, Martínez, M.*, Prétôt, L., Lambeth, S., Schapiro, S. and Brosnan, S.F. (under review). Chimpanzees' responses to inequity in a group context are influenced by food quality and their relationship with the group memberes present
McGetrick, J., Poncet, L., Amann, M., Schullern-Schrattenhofen, J., Fux, L., Martínez, M.., and Range, F. (2021). Dogs fail to reciprocate the receipt of food from a human in a food-giving task. PLoS One, 16(7):0253277. Link
Ongoing research: Linking cognition to social behavior
Ongoing research: Linking cognition to social behavior
When we think about animals, we might assume that the strongest and most aggresive individuals are also the most popular. Is that actually they case? My current work tests how cognitive abilities shape social outcomes like rank and social centrality in animals. To do so, I combine controlled experiments, naturalistic observations, and computational tools like social network analysis to tackle this question. Could it be that cognitive traits create multiple pathways to social success? Results will come soon, but here's a sneak peek: chimpanzees with stronger grooming ties (more central in their social group) engage in more metagocnitive information seeking and are less willing to wait for delayed rewards.
Relevant Presentations:
Martínez, M., Cantwell, A., Rukondo, J., Machanda, Z., and Rosati, A.G. (2025). Cognitive skills and rank shape social centrality in semi-free-ranging chimpanzees. Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists, Chicago, USA.
Stay tuned for more!
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