Journal of comparative psychology
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Although a large number of studies have examined self-directed behaviors (SDBs) such as scratching and self-grooming as nonverbal leakage of negative emotional arousal in humans, few studies have investigated the informative function of SDBs in nonhuman primates. The present study investigated whether viewing another monkey scratching itself elicited negative arousal from conspecific observers in Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata). ⋯ Scratching spread when conspecific observers watched the target scratching itself while performing monitoring behavior. The author proposes that the possible contagion of scratching by monkeys observing another's scratching may involve transmission of a psychological state, a primitive style of empathy.
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The relationship between sexual behavior and pain sensitivity was assessed in 27 heterosexual men and 20 heterosexual women. Sexual behavior measures included sexual motivation and ratings of subjective sexual arousal to and enjoyment of an auditory stimulus. Pain sensitivity measures were pain threshold and pain tolerance in a cold pressor task. ⋯ However, sexual behavior measures were correlated with pain threshold for both men and women. Specifically, higher pain thresholds were associated with weaker sexual motivation, lower enjoyment potential for sexual interaction, and increased inhibition during intercourse. These results are consistent with findings in laboratory animals, suggesting that differences in sexual behavior may reflect differences in responsiveness to a variety of stimuli.
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To identify behaviors related to acquisition of tool-use in tufted capuchins (Cebus apella), we presented two tool-using tasks to two groups, extending findings by Westergaard and Fragaszy (1987) and Visalberghi (in press). Five Ss learned to use the tools in each task. The primary predictor of success was level of interest in the task. ⋯ Observers were quick to learn the relationship between another's activities and the appearance of food. We conclude that capuchins do not readily learn about instrumental relations by observation of others or imitate other's acts. Imitation probably plays no role in the spread of novel instrumental behaviors among monkeys.
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A habituation test paradigm was used to examine the responses of free-living territorial adult male song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) to a range of synthetic songs. The three-phrased test songs differed from one another in having either conspecific or heterospecific (swamp sparrow, M. georgiana) syllables, or silence, in the second phrase. Subjects were exposed to repeated presentations of one song type until their approach distance to a loudspeaker increased. ⋯ In a second experiment, after habituation to a song with swamp sparrow syllables in the second phrase, birds did not generalize to novel song sparrow syllables, but they did generalize to novel swamp sparrow syllables. Thus song sparrows make finer distinctions among conspecific syllable variants than with alien syllables. The results further suggest that subtle species-specific differences in note structure within syllables are discriminated by song sparrows and potentially provide an adequate basis for individual recognition by song.
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Signal detection measures olfactory sensitivity (d') and measures of blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, nasal airflow, and respiration rate were repeatedly established within approximately 2.5-hr test sessions held every other day across 17 menstrual cycles of women not taking oral contraceptives, 6 menstrual cycles of women taking oral contraceptives, and 6 equivalent time periods of three men. In addition, radioimmunoassay-determined serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, estrone, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone, as well as responses to the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ), were established daily or bidaily throughout the study periods. Peaks in olfactory sensitivity were noted during the second half of menses, midcycle, and midluteally in women taking and in women not taking oral contraceptives. ⋯ In the oral contraceptive group, very small but statistically significant changes were observed across the cycle in body temperature and in circulating levels of luteinizing hormone and estrone. Interrelations between a number of the variables were noted both within and across the test periods in all three subject groups. The results are discussed in relation to fluctuations reported in a number of sensory systems during the menstrual cycle.