Social and environmental influences on self-aggression in monkeys

Chamove, Arnold S.; Anderson, James R.; Nash, Victoria

doi:10.1007/bf02382270

Cited by 55 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…It appeared that visitors excited the animals so that they a) were more active and less inactive, b) directed less amicable/affiiative behavior towards one another, and c) were more socially aggressive. This pattern of behavior change suggests that the stimulation caused by visitors is an irritable one, in that it leads to similar patterns of behavior change (e.g., increases in aggression) as commonly found with types of stimulation characterized as frustrating, threatening, or competitive [Baer, 1971;Chamove et al, 1984;Cooper and Markowitz, 1979;Mather, 19811. It further suggests that visitor stimulation is unlike that of forms of positive stimulation or enrichment, such as tasks which generally lead to reductions in aggression [Anderson and Chamove, 1981;Chamove et al, 1982;Markowitz, 19821. Our results support and extend the findings of Glatston et al [1984] except that they reported the "impression" that tamarins appeared to be less active when visitors were present.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Visitors excite primates in zoos

1988

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Fifteen species of primate were observed to assess the effects of zoo visitors on their social behavior. When visitors were present primates were less affdiative, more active, but more aggressive. These changes were particularly marked in arboreal monkeys, especially in smaller species, and were reduced by 50% by lowering the height of spectators. Detailed observations of a group of mandrills indicated that with increasing numbers of visitors the monkeys showed a linear increase in attention to visitors, in activity, and in stereotyped behavior. All of these effects are consistent with an interpretation that visitors are a source of stressful excitement rather than of enrichment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Visitors excite primates in zoos

1988

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“…Previous studies also indicate that other risk factors for abnormal behavior such as stereotypic behavior (motor, postural, and self-stimulation) include individual housing and long time in individual housing (Anonymous, 2004;Bushong, Schapiro, & Bloomsmith, 1992;Chamove, Anderson, & Nash, 1984;Line, Morgan, Markowitz, Roberts, & Riddell, 1990;Lutz et al, 2003;Novak, 2003;Reinhardt, 1999) as well as a high number of blood draws (Lutz et al, 2003). Indeed, animals in individual housing most severely experience a lack of control over their environment, a condition that has been linked to the development of abnormal behaviors across species (Broom, 1991).…”

Section: Risk Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk Factors and Remediation of Self-Injurious and Self-Abuse Behavior in Rhesus Macaques

Rommeck

Anderson

Heagerty

et al. 2008

Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science

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Considered signs of decreased welfare-abnormal behaviors such as self-injury and self-abuse among nonhuman primates housed in the laboratory-may put into question the validity and reliability of scientific research using these animals as models. Providing environmental enrichment decreases the incidence of some undesirable behaviors but is often unsuccessful at ameliorating the most severe types of abnormal behaviors. To prevent such behaviors from developing, it is important to identify risk factors that provide insight into the causes of certain abnormal behaviors. This study confirmed previous research identifying nursery rearing, single housing, and time spent in single housing as important risk factors. Results also indicate that the number of cage relocations affects the development of these behaviors. In addition, this study presents new data on comorbidity of several abnormal behaviors and discusses possible reasons for these patterns.A variety of factors influence the early development of abnormal behaviors in nonhuman animals in captivity, but disruption of early rearing experience in captive nonhuman primates seems to be the most important factor contributing to the development of behavioral problems (Bellanca & Crockett, 2002;Lutz & Novak, 2005;Lutz, Well, & Novak, 2003;Novak, 2003;Novak & Petto, 1991;Novak & Suomi, 1988). This was first demonstrated by Harlow's classic study on the effects of early social isolation on infant rhesus macaque behavior (Harlow & Zimmermann, 1959). Self-injurious behavior and noninjurious self-abuse can develop when appropriate physical contact is restricted or deprived during the first months of life. Rearing infants in a nursery setting versus with their mothers seems to predispose them to the development of abnormal behaviors (Lutz et al., 2003;Novak, 2003). Previous studies indicate that other risk factors for abnormal behavior such as stereotypic behavior (motor, postural, self-stimulation) include individual housing, long time in individual housing, and high number of blood draws (Lutz et al., 2003;Novak, 2003 HHS Public Access Author Manuscript Author ManuscriptAuthor Manuscript Author Manuscript through bouts of self-injury, including severe self-biting, hair-plucking, or head-banging. These injuries can be severe enough to require veterinary care and represent a serious issue in nonhuman primate care.Remediation for abnormal behavior in nonhuman primates spans from simple manipulanda and foraging devices to increased socialization. The degree to which these enrichment strategies promote species-typical behavior and ameliorate abnormal behavior depends upon the type of abnormal behavior exhibited (Lutz et al., 2003;Lutz & Novak, 2005;Novak, 2003). Generally, enrichment devices such as chew toys, foraging devices, and mirrors are provided to offer species-appropriate sensory stimuli and distract animals from engaging in abnormal behaviors. Whether these devices actually improve the psychological well being of the animal cannot be known directly; however, ...

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“…SA has been less intensively studied in group-living monkeys, and the influence of factors such as frustration in social contexts on the expression of SA is consequently less clear. For example, the hypothesis that subordinate monkeys are more susceptible to frustration because of a lack of suitable social targets and that this should increase SA, has not received convincing support (ANDERSON & CHAMOVE, 1980;CHAMOVE et al, 1985). On the other hand, it is well established that situations increasing SA in individually tested monkeys are less effective with socially tested animals (CHAMOVE et al, 1984), due, in at least some cases, to the replacement of SA by other behaviours such as grooming (GoOSEN & RIBBENS, 1980).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Frustration has been identified as one of the proximal causes of self-aggression (SA) in individually tested monkeys, for example during extinction of an operantly conditioned response (GLUCK & SACKETT, 1974), or when attractive food is placed just out of reach (CHAMOVE et al, 1984). SA has been less intensively studied in group-living monkeys, and the influence of factors such as frustration in social contexts on the expression of SA is consequently less clear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-aggression in stumptail macaques: Effects of frustration and social partners

1992

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ABSTRACT. This study aimed to test the hypotheses that frustration and low social status are associated with increased levels of self-aggression (SA) in stumptailed macaques. SA was more frequent when adult macaques observed from an adjacent cage while a companion was being tested on a memory task than when they themselves were tested. Watching a companion being fed by a human also caused SA to increase when subjects were alone, but not when they were with another partner. Overall, the subject of intermediate dominance rank appeared the most prone to bouts of SA. The results are discussed with reference to the role of frustration and social status in SA, and it is concluded that social housing with compatible partners can reduce this abnormal behaviour.

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Social and environmental influences on self-aggression in monkeys

Cited by 55 publications

References 16 publications

Visitors excite primates in zoos

Visitors excite primates in zoos

Risk Factors and Remediation of Self-Injurious and Self-Abuse Behavior in Rhesus Macaques

Self-aggression in stumptail macaques: Effects of frustration and social partners

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