Positive Reinforcement Training As a Technique to Alter Nonhuman Primate Behavior: Quantitative Assessments of Effectiveness

Abstract

Many suggest that operant conditioning techniques can be applied successfully to improve the behavioral management of nonhuman primates in research settings. However, relatively little empirical data exist to support this claim. This article is a review of several studies that discussed applied positive reinforcement training techniques (PRT) on breeding/research colonies of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and measured their effectiveness. Empirical analyses quantified the amount of time required to train rhesus monkeys to come up, station, target, and stay. Additionally, a study found that time spent affiliating by female rhesus was changed as a function of training low affiliators to affiliate more and high affiliators to affiliate less. Another study successfully trained chimpanzees to feed without fighting and to come inside on command. PRT is an important behavioral management tool that can improve the care and welfare of primates in captivity. Published empirical findings are essential for managers to assess objectively the utility of positive reinforcement training techniques in enhancing captive management and research procedures.

How can social network analysis improve the study of primate behavior?

“…Specifically, if there is a requirement for a new training technique/behavior to be introduced, a group for sanitary reasons or for medical, or behavioral research Savastano et al, 2003;Schapiro et al, 2003], informing the most central individual first should allow a faster diffusion of the information inside the group than informing another individual. Concerning disease transmission, we might also expect that, in case of infection, isolating or first treating central individuals would limit the transmission of the disease.…”

Considerations in the Selection and Conditioning of Old World Monkeys for Laboratory Research: Animals from Domestic Sources

“…In the text below, we describe some of the experiences that animals undergo in the transition from living in a breeding colony to being enrolled in a project, and we cite some of the relevant literature that can help answer the question posed above. Because behavioral and biomedical research protocols vary considerably, we do not consider aspects of conditioning that are more project specific, nor do we address the growing literature demonstrating the beneficial effects of training the animals to cooperate on research-related tasks such as phlebotomy, receipt of injections, and other tasks (Bentson et al 2003;Reinhardt 2003;Schapiro et al 2003Schapiro et al , 2005.…”

A Case Study Employing Operant Conditioning to Reduce Stress of Capture for Red-Bellied Tamarins (Saguinus labiatus)

“…Although individual target training was not necessary to train the tamarins to voluntarily participate in their capture, the decision to include this was one of "future-proofing" for welfare reasons where individuals could be separated out, or captured/contained, for future veterinary and/or husbandry purposes. Shapiro, Bloomsmith, and Laule (2003) emphasize that in assessing the benefits of training, potential trainers want to know how long it takes to shape a behavior and what effects are experienced by the primates. The training goal for this case study was achieved in 54 training sessions, equating to 9 hr of training for 5 tamarins.…”