
A recent study out of the University of Exeter, Arizona State University, New York University, and the University of Pennsylvania, investigated the consequences of aging on social behavior. Looking at macaques, the study found that “female macaques become increasingly selective, focussing more on relatives and long-standing friendships.” In fact, the results “show females aren’t shunned in later life – the changes are driven by the females themselves.” This narrowing of social networks is also common in humans, Professor Lauren Brent explains. She goes on to say that the “study offers the most conclusive evidence to date that social selectivity is not unique to humans, and therefore might have deeper evolutionary underpinnings.”