My research utilizes interdisciplinary perspectives and methods from psychology, ethology and endocrinology. I integrate behavioral observations with non-invasive collection of urine or saliva samples to measure changes in hormones associated with specific social contexts, and to identify causes of inter-individual variation in responses. In the past I have used these techniques to explore social relationships and cooperation in primates. I am currently applying similar techniques to develop comparative models of social support, prosociality and empathy in farm animals.