Comparative Studies of Primate Cognition

The primary goal of our work is to understand continuity and change in the behavior of monkeys across their life-span. Our efforts are focused on cognitive processes, social interaction, and abnormal behavior or psychopathology.

There appears to be considerable variation in the cognitive capabilities of different nonhuman primate species. Of particular interest is the extent to which chimpanzees differ from monkeys on a variety of complex tasks. Chimpanzees, for example, appear to recognize their images in mirrors whereas monkeys do not. Some have argued that this recognition is also associated with self-awareness. Our research is concerned both with a reexamination of mirror recognition in rhesus monkeys and with an assessment of other complex capabilities in monkeys that may be related to self-recognition. In our studies of mirror recognition, we have underscored the differential reactions of monkeys and chimpanzees to strangers and the need to desensitize monkeys to mirror images. Following such a desensitization procedure, two out of three rhesus monkeys in our laboratory showed some evidence of self-recognition. We have also looked at other capabilities.

Melinda A. Novak

Primate Behavior:
Development and Aging,
Complex Cognitive Processing, Psychological Well-Being

In comparison to chim- panzees (studies conducted by other researchers), our data suggest that rhesus monkeys do not perform well on role-reversal tasks, on visual perspective taking tasks, or on certain kinds of object permanence tasks (i.e., those involving invisible displacements). We are currently examining other cognitive capabilities such as spatial memory as well as the ability of monkeys to understand the relationship between their hand movements on a joystick and cursor movement on a video screen.

Development of Normal and Abnormal Behavior in Monkeys

Early rearing experiences play an important role in the development of normal and abnormal behavior in primates. Our early work has focused on developing strategies for rehabilitating monkeys exposed to impoverished early rearing environments. Our current research is aimed at understanding the spontaneous development of abnormal behavior in normally reared rhesus monkeys. Of particular concern is the small percentage of monkeys that spontaneously develop self-injurious behavior. Our goals are to 1) characterize the disorder and determine the behavioral and physiological correlates, 2) identify possible risk factors that may make some animals prone to the disorder (i.e., hyperaggressiveness, reactivity), and 3) develop effective treatments.

Representative Publications:

Povinelli, D.J., Parks, K.A., and Novak, M.A. (1992). Role reversal by rhesus monkeys, but no evidence of empathy. Anim. Behav. 43:269-281.
 
Novak, M.A., O'Neill, P., and Suomi, S J. (1992). Adjustments and adaptations to indoor and outdoor environments: continuity and change in young adult rhesus monkeys. Amer. J. Primatol. 28:124-138.
 
Novak, M.A., O'Neill, P., Beckley, S.A., and Suomi, S.J. (1994). Naturalistic environments for captive primates. In Naturalistic Environments in Captivity for Animal Behavior Research, E.F. Gibbons, E.J. Wyers, E. Waters, and E.W. Menzel (eds), SUNY Press, New York, 236-258.
 
Novak, M.A., Rulf, A., Monroe, H., Parks, K.A., Price, C., O'Neill, P.L., and Suomi, S.J. (1994). Using a standard to evaluate the effects of environmental enrichment. Lab Animal 24:37-43.
 
de Blois, S. and Novak, M.A. (1994). Object permanence in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). J. Comp. Psych 108:318-327.
 
Lutz, C.K. & Novak, M.A. (1995). The use of foraging racks and shavings as enrichment tools for social groups of rhesus monkeys. Zoo Biology, 14:463-474.
 
Suomi, S.J., Novak, M.A. & Well, A. (1996). Aging in rhesus monkeys: different windows on behavioral continuity and chance. Developmental Psychology, 32:1116-1128.
 
Platt, D.M. & Novak, M.A. (1997). Videostimulation as enrichment for captive rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science 52:139-155.
 
Bayne, K.A.L. & Novak, M.A. (1998). Psychological Disorders. In B.T. Bennett, C.R. Abee, & R. Henrickson (Eds.) Nonhuman Primates in Biomedical Research, Vol II: Diseases. New York: Academic Press, pp. 485-500.
 
de Blois, S.T., Novak, M.A. & Bond, M. (1998). Object permanence in orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) and squirrel monkeys (Saimin sciureus). Journal of Comparative Psychology 112:137-152. MEDLINE
 
Novak, M.A., West, M., Bayne, K.A.L., & Suomi, S.J. (1998). Ethological research methods. In L. Hart (Ed.) Responsible Conduct of Research in Animal Behavior. New York: Oxford Univ. Press, pp. 51-66.
 
Novak, M.A., Kinsey, J.H., Jorgensen, M.J. & Hazen, T.J. (1998). The effects of puzzle feeders on pathological behavior in individually housed rhesus monkeys. American Journal of Primatology 46:213-227.
 
Platt, D.M. & Novak, M.A. (1999). Perception of novel changes in a familiar environment by socially housed rhesus monkeys. American Journal of Primatology 47(2):117-31. MEDLINE
 
de Blois, S.T. & Novak, M.A. & Bond, M. (1999). Can memory requirements account for species differences in invisible displacement tasks. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes., 25, 168-176.
 
Chase, W.K., Marinus, L.M. & Novak, M.A. (2000). A behavioral comparison of male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in four different housing conditions. American Journal of Primatology, 51, 51.
 
de Blois, S.T. & Novak, M.A. (2000). Can rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) represent simple collision events. American Journal of Primatology, 51, 53.
 
Lutz, C.K., Chase, W.K., & Novak, M.A. (2000). Abnormal behavior in singly housed Macaca mulatta: prevalence and risk factors. American Journal of Primatology, 51, 71.
 
Marinus, L.M., Chase, W.K., & Novak, M.A. (2000). Self-biting behavior in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) is preferentially directed to body sites associated with acupuncture analgesia. American Journal of Primatology, 51, 71-72.
 
Tiefenbacher, S.T., Chase, W.T., Marinus, L.M., Novak, M.A., & Meyer, J.S. (2000). Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test in rhesus monkeys using urinary cortisol excretion. American Journal of Primatology, 51, 96-97.
 

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