Habituation is not neutral or equal: Individual differences in tolerance suggest an overlooked personality trait.

Science Advances
Andrew T L AllanRussell A Hill

Abstract

In behavioral studies, observer effects can be substantial, even for habituated animals, but few studies account for potential observer-related phenomenon empirically. We used wild, habituated chacma baboons to explore two key assumptions of behavioral ecology (i) that observers become a "neutral" stimulus and (ii) that habituation is "equal" across group members. Using flight initiation distance (FID) methods within a personality paradigm, the behavioral responses of baboons suggested that observers were not perceived as neutral but instead viewed as a high-ranking social threat. Habituation was also not equal across group members, with repeatable individual differences more important than contextual factors (e.g., habitat) in determining the distance at which baboons visually oriented or displaced from observers. A strong correlation between individual visual tolerance and displacement tolerance (i.e., convergent validity) indicated a personality trait. We offer several suggestions for how to account for these factors and minimize potential bias in future studies.

References

May 1, 1971·Journal of Theoretical Biology·W D Hamilton
Sep 5, 2006·Journal of Theoretical Biology·William E Cooper, William G Frederick
Apr 18, 2007·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Denis RéaleNiels J Dingemanse
Dec 7, 2007·Folia primatologica; international journal of primatology·Paco Bertolani, Christophe Boesch
Dec 14, 2007·American Journal of Primatology·Katharine M JackLinda Fedigan
Feb 19, 2010·Biology Letters·Alvin Aaden Yim-Hol ChanDaniel T Blumstein
Mar 10, 2010·American Journal of Primatology·Linda Marie Fedigan
Mar 17, 2010·Applied Animal Behaviour Science·Steven K IredaleCorrine K Lutz
Dec 21, 2012·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Alecia J CarterRobert Heinsohn
Feb 22, 2013·Biology Letters·Diogo S M SamiaDaniel T Blumstein
Nov 19, 2014·PloS One·Diogo S M Samia, Daniel T Blumstein
Jun 23, 2016·Journal of Chiropractic Medicine·Terry K Koo, Mae Y Li
Dec 28, 2016·Social Studies of Science·Lys Alcayna-Stevens
Jan 31, 2018·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Andrew T L Allan, Russell A Hill
Apr 7, 2018·Behavioral Ecology : Official Journal of the International Society for Behavioral Ecology·Thomas M Houslay, Alastair J Wilson
Mar 11, 2019·Animal Cognition·A Louise de Raad, Russell A Hill

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

CyberTracker
R
brms
Rtools
Rstan
loo

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.