Choice Behavior in Rhesus Monkeys: Effect of Stimulation during the First Month of Life

Abstract

Monkeys reared from birth away from other monkeys and handled by humans during the first month of life preferred humans to monkeys when tested at the age of 2 to 3 years. Animals having both early human handling and physical contact with other monkeys, or physical contact with other monkeys and no human handling, preferred monkeys. Subjects reared in complete isolation from humans and monkeys spent less time with either choice stimulus, but also preferred monkeys to humans.