To further the potential for applied personality studies, we present a methodology for assessing personality in nonhu man animals without a priori assumptions, using behavioral measures to discriminate personality sur...To further the potential for applied personality studies, we present a methodology for assessing personality in nonhu man animals without a priori assumptions, using behavioral measures to discriminate personality survey results. Our study group consisted of 12 freeranging, provisioned, adult Tibetan macaques Macaca thibetana at the Valley of the Wild Monkeys, China. We asked familiar Chinese park guards and scientists to rate each of the 12 macaques using 27item personality surveys. We also recorded behavioral observations （〉 100 hrs） from AugustSeptember, 2012. The personality surveys showed reliability in 22 of the items that were then utilized in a principal component analysis that revealed five components： Insecurity, Reactivity, Boldness, Sociability, and Leadership. Prior personality research on Macaca show comparable components. In order to determine which behaviors would best predict those five personality components, we conducted discriminant analyses using behavioral measures as predictors. We found that behavioral measures of avoidance, lunging, feargrinning, selfdirected behaviors, touching, proximity and chasing could significantly predict personality component scores in certain situations. Finally, we analyzed the effects of situation （provisioning and tourists） and found situation influenced proximity and rates of avoidance and selfdirected behaviors. Wider implementation of this methodology may permit longterm analysis of personality using behavioral proxies for established personality traits, in particular on research investigating the effects of tourism and provisioning on personality .展开更多
Since reconciliation was first described more than 20 years ago, a large number of postconflict be- haviors have been observed among females in many polygynous primate species. However, few studies have been conducted...Since reconciliation was first described more than 20 years ago, a large number of postconflict be- haviors have been observed among females in many polygynous primate species. However, few studies have been conducted among males, perhaps due to the rarity with which they maintain friendly relationships with one another and their aggressive competition for resources. Although this is true for many primate males, Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus roxellana represent a potential exception as male cooperation has been known to occur. In this study, using postconfiict/ matched-control（PC-MC） and time-rule methods, we analyzed postconflict behavior among males and the possible occurrence of bystander affiliation or reconciliation. A total of 246 PC-MC pairs among leader males were obtained. On average, each leader male exhibited only 0.04 aggressive be- haviors per observation hour, and conciliation among leader males occurred at a low rate （2.03%） relative to other primate species. The occurrence of consolation-affiliation interactions between focal males and group members other than former opponents differed significantly between PCs and MCs, which is the first time this has been confirmed among R. roxellana males. We discuss the results in light of recent theories concerning consolation in primates. The patterns of postconflict contact demonstrated that R. roxellana may be a unique species among colobines.展开更多
文摘To further the potential for applied personality studies, we present a methodology for assessing personality in nonhu man animals without a priori assumptions, using behavioral measures to discriminate personality survey results. Our study group consisted of 12 freeranging, provisioned, adult Tibetan macaques Macaca thibetana at the Valley of the Wild Monkeys, China. We asked familiar Chinese park guards and scientists to rate each of the 12 macaques using 27item personality surveys. We also recorded behavioral observations （〉 100 hrs） from AugustSeptember, 2012. The personality surveys showed reliability in 22 of the items that were then utilized in a principal component analysis that revealed five components： Insecurity, Reactivity, Boldness, Sociability, and Leadership. Prior personality research on Macaca show comparable components. In order to determine which behaviors would best predict those five personality components, we conducted discriminant analyses using behavioral measures as predictors. We found that behavioral measures of avoidance, lunging, feargrinning, selfdirected behaviors, touching, proximity and chasing could significantly predict personality component scores in certain situations. Finally, we analyzed the effects of situation （provisioning and tourists） and found situation influenced proximity and rates of avoidance and selfdirected behaviors. Wider implementation of this methodology may permit longterm analysis of personality using behavioral proxies for established personality traits, in particular on research investigating the effects of tourism and provisioning on personality .
文摘Since reconciliation was first described more than 20 years ago, a large number of postconflict be- haviors have been observed among females in many polygynous primate species. However, few studies have been conducted among males, perhaps due to the rarity with which they maintain friendly relationships with one another and their aggressive competition for resources. Although this is true for many primate males, Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus roxellana represent a potential exception as male cooperation has been known to occur. In this study, using postconfiict/ matched-control（PC-MC） and time-rule methods, we analyzed postconflict behavior among males and the possible occurrence of bystander affiliation or reconciliation. A total of 246 PC-MC pairs among leader males were obtained. On average, each leader male exhibited only 0.04 aggressive be- haviors per observation hour, and conciliation among leader males occurred at a low rate （2.03%） relative to other primate species. The occurrence of consolation-affiliation interactions between focal males and group members other than former opponents differed significantly between PCs and MCs, which is the first time this has been confirmed among R. roxellana males. We discuss the results in light of recent theories concerning consolation in primates. The patterns of postconflict contact demonstrated that R. roxellana may be a unique species among colobines.
