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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de Monte, M., Anderson, J.R. & Charbonnier, H. Self-aggression in stumptail macaques: Effects of frustration and social partners. Primates 33, 115–120 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02382767
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02382767