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Related Experiment Video

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Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device ALDM Test Systems
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Do monkeys compare themselves to others?

Vanessa Schmitt1,2, Ira Federspiel3, Johanna Eckert2

  • 1Social Cognition Center Cologne, University of Cologne, Richard-Strauss-Str. 2, 50931, Cologne, Germany.

Animal Cognition
|November 30, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study explored social comparison in long-tailed macaques, finding that performance was influenced by partner identity and relative performance, suggesting motivational variations rather than assimilation or contrast effects.

Keywords:
Co-acting paradigmEvolutionInequity aversionMeta-cognitionMonkeysNon-human primatesSocial comparison processesSocial relationships

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Area of Science:

  • Comparative Psychology
  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Primate Behavior

Background:

  • Social comparison is a fundamental human behavior with debated evolutionary roots.
  • Previous research on social comparison has primarily focused on humans, leaving a gap in understanding its evolutionary foundations in other species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of partner performance and relationship quality on the performance of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis).
  • To adapt the co-acting paradigm from human research to assess social comparison mechanisms in non-human primates.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized touch screen setups for parallel testing, requiring macaques to discriminate between familiar and novel photographs.
  • Manipulated auditory feedback on partner performance (better, worse, or no feedback) and partner relationship (affiliate vs. non-affiliate).
  • Measured accuracy and reaction time as primary performance indicators.

Main Results:

  • Accuracy was not significantly affected by partner performance or relationship.
  • Longer reaction times were observed when macaques performed with a non-affiliate performing worse compared to better.
  • In a control condition, macaques showed higher accuracy with affiliates than non-affiliates, with no effect on reaction time.

Conclusions:

  • Long-tailed macaques demonstrate sensitivity to partner identity and performance, influencing their task engagement.
  • Observed effects appear to be driven by variations in motivation rather than classic assimilation and contrast effects seen in human social comparison.
  • Findings suggest that social comparison mechanisms may have deeper evolutionary roots than previously understood, extending to primate social cognition.