Core Study APFCE
Aims
(include hypotheses and research questions if relevant)
1. Investigate sex differences in toy preferences of rhesus monkeys.
2. See if socialisation process or biological mechanisms affect sex stereotypical choices in rhesus monkeys.
3. See if there are sex differences in toy choice of rhesus monkeys compared to human children.
4. Investigate a correlation between individual monkeys’ ranks within their social hierarchy and the
frequency/duration of interactions with each toy type.
Procedure
(include method and sample)
Research method – field experiment
Design – independent measures design
Data collection – observation
Sample:
o RHESUS MONKEYS
o YERKES NATIONAL PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTRE FIELD STATION
o Lived together for more than 25 years.
o Multi-male and female social group
o SPECIES TYPICAL MULTIPLE MATRILINE social structure [children stay with mum].
o Housed with NATAL GROUP
o 625m2 outdoor compounds with attached temperature-controlled indoor quarters.
o Water continuously available.
o Fed monkey chow x2/day.
o Fruit/veg supplement x1/day.
ETHICAL POINTS
STANDARDISATION
Procedure:
1. Each social group => 7 trials => each trial lasted 25 minutes => observed with 2 video cameras.
2. Each trial began with all the monkeys in the group indoors.
3. One plush toy and one wheeled toy placed 10m apart in the outdoor enclosure.
*position of toy *left/right COUNTERBALNCED after each trial*
Category Description Examples of Toys used
Masculine => wheeled - 16cm to 46cm - Car
- Six wheels - Truck
- Construction vehicle
Feminine => plush - 14cm to 73cm - Winnie the Pooh
- Soft - Scooby Doo
- Koala Bear
4. One video recorder directed towards each toy.
5. After each trial => toys removed => video tape analysed by 2 OBSERVERS WORKING TOGETHER TO
REACH A CONSENSUS.
*HIGH INTER-OBSERVER RELIABILITY*
6. Identified each animal interacting with a toy => CODED SPECIFIC ACTIVITY according to
BEHAVIOURAL CHECKLIST.
Examples of Behaviours Description
Sit on Seated on toy/part of toy
Carry in hand Moving with toy in hand and off the ground
Sniff Toy coming close to nose
Throw Project in air with hands
Turn entire toy 3D orientation of toy
7. They recorded:
- Exact time activity occurred
- Frequency of each behaviour
- Duration of continuous activities
Aims
(include hypotheses and research questions if relevant)
1. Investigate sex differences in toy preferences of rhesus monkeys.
2. See if socialisation process or biological mechanisms affect sex stereotypical choices in rhesus monkeys.
3. See if there are sex differences in toy choice of rhesus monkeys compared to human children.
4. Investigate a correlation between individual monkeys’ ranks within their social hierarchy and the
frequency/duration of interactions with each toy type.
Procedure
(include method and sample)
Research method – field experiment
Design – independent measures design
Data collection – observation
Sample:
o RHESUS MONKEYS
o YERKES NATIONAL PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTRE FIELD STATION
o Lived together for more than 25 years.
o Multi-male and female social group
o SPECIES TYPICAL MULTIPLE MATRILINE social structure [children stay with mum].
o Housed with NATAL GROUP
o 625m2 outdoor compounds with attached temperature-controlled indoor quarters.
o Water continuously available.
o Fed monkey chow x2/day.
o Fruit/veg supplement x1/day.
ETHICAL POINTS
STANDARDISATION
Procedure:
1. Each social group => 7 trials => each trial lasted 25 minutes => observed with 2 video cameras.
2. Each trial began with all the monkeys in the group indoors.
3. One plush toy and one wheeled toy placed 10m apart in the outdoor enclosure.
*position of toy *left/right COUNTERBALNCED after each trial*
Category Description Examples of Toys used
Masculine => wheeled - 16cm to 46cm - Car
- Six wheels - Truck
- Construction vehicle
Feminine => plush - 14cm to 73cm - Winnie the Pooh
- Soft - Scooby Doo
- Koala Bear
4. One video recorder directed towards each toy.
5. After each trial => toys removed => video tape analysed by 2 OBSERVERS WORKING TOGETHER TO
REACH A CONSENSUS.
*HIGH INTER-OBSERVER RELIABILITY*
6. Identified each animal interacting with a toy => CODED SPECIFIC ACTIVITY according to
BEHAVIOURAL CHECKLIST.
Examples of Behaviours Description
Sit on Seated on toy/part of toy
Carry in hand Moving with toy in hand and off the ground
Sniff Toy coming close to nose
Throw Project in air with hands
Turn entire toy 3D orientation of toy
7. They recorded:
- Exact time activity occurred
- Frequency of each behaviour
- Duration of continuous activities
