Thore Jon Bergman

Thore Jon Bergman is a Professor jointly affiliated with the Department of Psychology and the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan. He is an ASC Faculty member at the African Studies Center. His research focuses on social cognition, vocal communication, and the evolutionary drivers of primate behavior. Bergman holds a B.S. in Zoology and Conservation Biology from the University of Wisconsin (1993) and a Ph.D. in Evolutionary and Population Biology from Washington University (2000).

Research Interests: Bergman investigates how dominance hierarchies and family relationships shape primate social structures, the cognitive mechanisms underlying these systems, and the role of vocalizations in mediating social interactions. His work also examines sexual selection dynamics, hormone-behavior interactions using non-invasive methods, and ecological influences on social behavior. Key study species include hybrid baboons in Ethiopia, gelada monkeys in Ethiopia, and baboons in Botswana.
Methodologies: Field-based observational studies, acoustic recordings, playback experiments, and advanced tracking technologies. Current projects include long-term research on gelada monkeys' social cognition and communication.
Advising: Supervises graduate students Rachel Cable and Allison Injaian. Collaborates with the University of Michigan Gelada Research Project. No scientific awards explicitly listed in provided texts.