We first review the suite of general problems mammals confront during their social development, and then focus on the specific problem of how group-living mammals acquire their social rank. In particular, we examine maternal rank “inheritance” (MRI) in those mammals for which maternal rank is the primary determinant of female rank. This occurs in many primates and in spotted hyenas. Young primates and spotted hyenas usually attain their adult status in two stages: they first attain ranks correlated with those of their mothers in peer interactions, and subsequently challenge and outrank older conspecifics subordinate to their mothers. Observational learning may be necessary, but is not sufficient, for MRI. In some primates, but not hyenas, youngsters appear to learn their ranks from direct aggression against them by higher-ranking adults. Third-party support appears to promote MRI in all species examined: the probability and style of maternal interventions on behalf of infants often vary with rank, and both kin and nonkin frequently form coalitions that may assist juveniles during rank reversals.
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