A version of this can be observed among the baboons I study in Kenya. In general, when dominance hierarchies are unstable, resting glucocorticoid levels rise. This makes sense, because such instabilities make for stressful times. Looking at individual baboons, however, shows a more subtle pattern: given the same degree of instability, males whose ranks are dropping have elevated glucocorticoid levels, while males whose ranks are rising amid the tumult don’t show this endocrine trait.
