If they taught Veblen's Theory of the Leisure Class, then people wouldn't be surprised the gp reaction is the exact goal of Leisure Class.

Through Conspicuous Consumption and Conspicuous Leisure where the keyword is being "Conspicuous" with all their over the top activities, what is really being signaled to the entire chimp troupe is - "you want to be like me or hang out with me then do I what I tell you", "who do you want to work for - the king in the palace with cool toys or someone boring?"

Veblen said using such signalling is important for group formation since people are so different and have different interests pushing them all in different directions. So group formation and cohesion requires leaders who are master bullshiters or people who really believe in their stories.

But the danger is when the leader forgets the point of signalling and story telling is group formation and cohesion. Thats when things go off the rails.