Variability of play and exploratory behavior in chimpanzees.

Abstract

Sequential written records were taken of chimpanzee exploration of three sets of objects. There were ten small objects in each set, with the sets different in complexity of color and/or form. Each set was presented as a unit to each of six 3-8 year old chimpanzees for a 10-minute session on each of three successive days. There were more frequent behavior changes (a) in the more complex situations than in the simpler situations, and (b) in more novel situations (on first sessions, and during first halves of sessions) than in more familiar situations. The role of "re-sponse to novelty" and "stimulus satiation" in the temporal patterning of behavior is discussed.