Positive reinforcement training in squirrel monkeys using clicker training.

American Journal of Primatology
Timothy E GillisMarc J Kaufman

Abstract

Nonhuman primates in research environments experience regular stressors that have the potential to alter physiology and brain function, which in turn can confound some types of research studies. Operant conditioning techniques such as positive reinforcement training (PRT), which teaches animals to voluntarily perform desired behaviors, can be applied to improve behavior and reactivity. PRT has been used to train rhesus macaques, marmosets, and several other nonhuman primate species. To our knowledge, the method has yet to be used to train squirrel monkeys to perform complex tasks. Accordingly, we sought to establish whether PRT, utilizing a hand-box clicker (which emits a click sound that acts as the conditioned reinforcer), could be used to train adult male squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis, N = 14). We developed and implemented a training regimen to elicit voluntary participation in routine husbandry, animal transport, and injection procedures. Our secondary goal was to quantify the training time needed to achieve positive results. Squirrel monkeys readily learned the connection between the conditioned reinforcer (the clicker) and the positive reinforcer (food). They rapidly developed proficiency on four tasks of increasi...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 26, 2013·Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science : JAAWS·Jessica RoggeLawrence Williams
Oct 17, 2013·PloS One·Hani D FreemanSarah F Brosnan
Jun 4, 2019·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Guillaume DezecacheAudrey Maille
Sep 22, 2019·Primates; Journal of Primatology·Nelson BrocheMichael A Huffman
Jun 4, 2020·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Pedro Paredes-RamosApolo A Carrasco-Garcia
May 2, 2018·Scientific Reports·Daniel J O'SheaKrishna V Shenoy
Dec 31, 2019·Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science : JAAWS·Isabel CallealtaAndre Ganswindt
Oct 2, 2020·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Nicole Pfaller-SadovskySusan G Friedman
Feb 5, 2021·The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology : QJEP·W David StahlmanKenneth J Leising

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