| Publications [#240219] of Christine M. Drea
search PubMed.Refereed Publications
- Drea, CM, Social context affects how rhesus monkeys explore their environment,
American Journal of Primatology, vol. 44 no. 3
(1998),
pp. 205-214, WILEY, ISSN 0275-2565 [9519240], [doi]
(last updated on 2024/04/24)
Abstract: This study reports on social modulation of exploratory
behavior and response to novelty by members of a captive
rhesus monkey colony. The group was trained to split in
half, with one subgroup composed of dominant members
only, the other of subordinates. The animals were then
presented the same initially novel stimuli (i.e., sand-filled
metal boxes containing hidden food items) in two social
contexts, differing in hierarchical composition. In a
‘combined’ context, all group members (i.e., both
subgroups together) were simultaneously presented the
stimuli. In a ‘split’ context, only members of the top or
bottom half of the group (i.e., each subgroup in turn) was
independently presented the stimuli. Subordinates
responded similarly to dominant animals in the combined
context, but differently in the split context, where they
were far more hesitant. Rank-related differences were
evident in the way animals used their home compound
and in their approach and responsiveness toward the
stimuli. These findings show that social context
influences how animals explore novel situations, possibly
reflecting different social roles or status effects on the
perception of social structure. Also, despite the
complexity of primate social relationships, the separation
technique produced no permanent or adverse effects on
the social integrity of the group. This study shows that
manipulating the social environment through separation
training can be a powerful tool for assessing contextual
influences on behavior.
Keywords: exploration • response to novelty • rhesus monkeys • social roles • social context • dominance relationships
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