Responsiveness of protein deficient monkeys to manipulative stimuli

Abstract

Objects never experienced before by 4 groups of monkeys were introduced into a free operant chain manipulation situation. The presence of the objects disrupted the manipulation response rates of 2 groups of animals differing in age and onset of a diet restricted in protein. Age controls receiving higher concentrations of protein in diets isocaloric with respect to the protein restricted diet, showed increased performance to these stimuli. The reinstatement of the chains alone condition resulted in a partial, but temporary recovery, of the manipulation response by low protein animals. This disruption in chain pulling behavior by malnourished monkeys may be similar to neophobic avoidance reactions previously observed in protein deprived monkeys.

Chronic malnutrition and child behavior: Effects of early caloric supplementation on social and emotional functioning at school age.

“…Experimentally malnourished animals are characterized by apathy, passivity, and inability to sustain attention (Strobel & Zimmerman, 1971). They show reduced exploration and curiosity (Frankova, 1973), fearful avoidance of new stimuli (Strobel & Zimmerman, 1972), and a failure to respond normally to social initiations from other animals. All of these characteristics would appear to indicate a "functional avoidance" and a "functional deprivation" (Barnes, 1976) of new situations and stimuli.…”

Protein Deprivation in Primates: III. Cage Activities and Chain-Pulling Behavior of Adult Rhesus Monkeys Maintained on Low-Protein Diets

“…Rodents, dogs, and pigs were typically Ss in these investigations and their performance was usually impaired within a variety of experimental situations by diets containing less than 1 4 to 18% protein. Although much of this work employed learning and problem-solving indices of behavioral effects, ic was often observed that the animals were apathetic or sluggish, exhibited low levels of curiosity, or lacked responsiveness, even when errors and/or time were unaffected.More recently, non-human primates have been committed to this research effort with an emphasis on the motivational aspects of behavior, but concerned only with the early (infant and adolescent) period of life (Kerr & Waisman, 1968; Zimrnermann & Strobel, 1969; Strobe1 & Zimrnermann, 1971, 1972. In general, the association of protein deprivation with decreased activity and apathetic behavior was confirmed.…”

“…More recently, non-human primates have been committed to this research effort with an emphasis on the motivational aspects of behavior, but concerned only with the early (infant and adolescent) period of life (Kerr & Waisman, 1968;Zimrnermann & Strobel, 1969;Strobe1 & Zimrnermann, 1971, 1972. In general, the association of protein deprivation with decreased activity and apathetic behavior was confirmed.…”