The Psychological Well-Being of Nonhuman Primates (1998) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
10. Research Needs
10. Research Needs
Pages 113-122
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 113... ...
Nonhuman primates are commonly maintained in biomedical institutions to support high-priority research into issues of human well-being, and those institutions are obliged to address the welfare of the animals. However, the ability to generalize findings from our close primate relatives depends on maintaining animals in a state that is representative of normal functioning.
|
From page 114... ...
That might be a suitable place to begin the development of hypotheses, but it clearly is not sufficient. We must develop a theory so that we can agree on empirical measures of well-being, rather than relying on conflicting subjective judgments about internal states in other species.
|
From page 115... ...
In discussing atypical behavior, or stereotypies that either are detrimental to well-being or serve no adaptive function, it is critical to differentiate repetitive movements, stereotyped patterns, and potentially self-abusive behavior that indicate a lack of well-being from patterns that constitute potentially harmless idiosyncrasies (Berkson 1967; Mason and Berkson 1975)
|
From page 116... ...
For example, how do the stressors encountered in captivity compare with those encountered in a given animal's natural environment in source, frequency, intensity, or duration? A number of natural-history variables seem to bear on the psychological well-being of captive primates, including arboreal and terrestrial activities, social-organizational patterns and occasions for groups to form and disperse, dependence on long-term social affiliations or bonds, dietary needs and food-getting behaviors, preferred temperature norms and ranges, mating and infant-care patterns, natural communication modes, and modes of locomotion and movement.
|
From page 117... ...
We also need to know whether primates reared in free-ranging situations require strategies for promoting psychological well-being that are different from those required for animals born and reared in captivity. SUBJECT CHARACTERISTICS Several characteristics of individual animals can influence their psychological well-being in captive settings.
|
From page 118... ...
Such an approach fails to provide for performance standards based on typical postures or locomotor expression, such as stride length. The extent to which performance standards can be translated into appropriate cages and housing depends on thorough study of species, age, and sex differences.
|
From page 119... ...
One implication is that timed mating programs might need to consider the normal social partners of individual animals that are ordinarily removed and paired briefly for reproductive purposes. Another implication is that social bonds might be necessary for normal physiological responses in some primate species.
|
From page 120... ...
COGNITION Primates in general have substantial cognitive capacities for complex learning and memory. We know that primates' cognitive abilities and the specifics of their attention and motivational processes vary, probably in relation to ecological factors that are important to their adaptation to their natural environment.
|
From page 121... ...
ANIMAL TECHNICIAN'S AND CAREGIVER'S ROLE IN WELL-BEING The animal technician's and caregiver's roles are pivotal to the social support of primates, particularly animals that are singly caged. Caregivers can serve as important points of social contact from which primates can garner positive interaction, instructions (where to go and what to do during cage-cleaning, transfer, etc.)
|
From page 122... ...
How can biological samples be collected so as to minimize restraint, isolation, loss of social support, the stress of isolation, pain, and other factors that can disrupt well-being? In sum, whereas a great deal is known about the natural history and behavior of nonhuman primates held in captivity, much more information is required.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.