This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This project is designed primarily as a research and training opportunity for undergraduate students, graduate students, and visiting scientists who wish to learn about primate social behavior and cognition and obtain experience in behavioral observation and assessment. The behavioral data generated may be useful for colony management such as assessment of social or clinical problems with individual animals or arising within the groups. This project involves behavioral observation and standardized behavioral assessment of macaques housed in the Infant Primate Research Laboratory (IPRL). Behavioral observations are scheduled so as not to conflict or interfere with regular management activities or other projects. There is no physical contact, capture, transfer or movement of animals required as part of this protocol. Standardized behavioral assessment utilizes an assessment apparatus (located in the Kyes Lab in the IPRL) that consists of a panel with a rear projection screen/computer monitor that can be positioned outside of a cage or a small open field enclosure. A set of computerized visual stimuli depicting a range of stimuli are presented to the group to elicit behavioral response. The animals' responses are recorded via closed-circuit TV camera mounted below the screen/monitor. During testing, the panel is placed in front of the cage (NPRC) or monkeys are placed individually in the open-field enclosure (IPRL). A 10-min acclimation period precedes the stimulus presentation. Each stimulus is then presented sequentially for 30 sec with a 2-min inter-stimulus interval. Subject's duration of attention and any behavioral responses directed toward the stimulus are recorded. The order of testing and stimulus presentation is randomized for each session.
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