A comparison of rhesus monkey and gibbon responses to unfamiliar situations
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1963 |
Authors: |
Irwin S. Bernstein, Ronald J. Schusterman, Lawrence G. Sharpe |
Publication/Journal: |
Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology |
Keywords: |
animal behavior, animal behaviour, gibbons, hylobates, macaco mullata, novelty, rhesus monkey |
Abstract:
11 gibbons and 11 rhesus monkeys were individually tested in 7 types of novel situations. Test situations used multiple unfamiliar cages, novel objects, unfamiliar animals of the same species, humans in standard situations, and a white rat. The 2 groups differed in both quality and quantity of exploration, with the gibbons more active. The rhesus displayed dominance-subordination behavior in most situations, where as the gibbons tended to manipulate novel objects and showed little fear of humans or strange gibbons. When disturbed, rhesus monkeys displayed submissive gestures or became immobile, whereas gibbons continued active movements and displayed self-directed stereotyped responses.