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How do wolves use their hierarchy to reduce conflict in comparison to solitary species?

Well, the title is pretty self-explanatory. It's a question on one of my assignments that I've been looking at and was wondering is anyone could help me out on this? I know that by having a social hierarchy wolves can establish where their place is in the pack. But solitary species? I can only guess that animals like bears would try to avoid getting into fights by avoiding animals that look like they could easily beat them up.

Public Comments

1. Wolves are intensely social animals. They live in family groups called packs, which usually have less than 10 members, though up to 30 have been recorded. The pack is led by a dominant pair called the alpha male and female - they mate for life and are the pack's only breeding pair. The rest of the pack is made up of their siblings and/or offspring. Below the alpha pair is a second-in-command called a beta wolf. Then come mid-ranked individuals, and at the bottom of the heap is the omega wolf, the lowest-ranked pack member. All members of the pack help to hunt, defend the territory and raise the alpha pair's young. The strict heirarchy of the pack is maintained through displays of dominance and submission, which eliminate the need for physical violence. A dominant wolf will stand tall with its head up, ears pricked and tail raised. A submissive wolf will crouch low, with head down, ears flattened and tail tucked between the hind legs. It may even roll over on its back as a gesture of complete submission. Members of the pack are very affectionate towards each other, often licking and nuzzling, and play together every day. Maintaining the bonds between them is essential for their survival. The main prey of grey wolves are large ungulates (hoofed mammals) - species will vary across the animal's range. For example, arctic wolves feed mainly on musk oxen, Yellowstone wolves on elk, European wolves on red deer, and Arabian wolves on blackbuck. They hunt co-operatively, running the prey down by superior stamina and felling it when it is exhausted. Some prey species, such as moose, can weigh ten times what a single wolf does - a wolf is risking its life every time it needs food. This is why teamwork is so important. Wolves will feed, protect and care for sick or injured pack members, and they have been observed to mourn when a member of the pack dies - they cease play for around 6 weeks, and howl often as though calling to the missing member. There are even cases known in which, when one of a mated pair dies, the other will stop eating until it too dies. Basically, wolves do not need to fight with one another because each member of the pack knows its place - who it can dominate and who it must submit to. When two solitary animals meet, they may have to fight to establish who is dominant.