EFFECTS OF THREE MONTHS OF TOTAL SOCIAL DEPRIVATION ON SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT AND LEARNING IN THE RHESUS MONKEY

Abstract

Rhesus monkeys reared in total social isolation for the first 3 months of life were compared with 3-month partial social isolates on social and learning behaviors. Home-cage observations also were taken over the isolation and social testing periods. The 3-month total social isolates showed extreme withdrawal when they were removed from the isolation chambers, and this withdrawal was so severe that one S died of starvation because it refused to eat food placed in its cage. The totally socially isolated Ss exhibited a drop in oral and manual exploration of the cage when removed from isolation and showed an increase in the category of self-directed orality. The isolates also showed difficulty in adapting to new situations. However, no differences in social or learning behaviors were found between the 3-month total social isolates and their partially socially isolated controls.