Selection is the process that creates ordered from the chaos of random exploratory behavior. Behaviors are selected by elimination. The behaviors that did not work are preformed less and less until they undergo extinction. In a perfect world extinction would take place without excessive complications. In the real world there are myriads of unpredictable events that complicate the process. The first one that comes to mind is the individual’s will. The individual is often reinforced by fighting through the extinction process. Well call this tenacity or perseverance. Tenacity to continue even when there seems to be no hope is a quality people find useful. Bulldog like tenacity can be a useful trait and therefore it’s liked and rewarded.
The problem arises when you have two or more individuals or groups with bulldog like tenacity competing over anything. When the competion is over something of high value there’s bound to be trouble.
Competition does not only come from others. Behaviors can compete for precedents within an individual. When there are internal forces competing for the will of the individual, we have conflict. How is internal conflict solved? Often it’s solved by conforming to the will of our group. We will discuss cultural rules next week.
Wishing you the best in dogs and in life,
Andrew Ledford