Functional Analysis and Successful Treatment of a Captive Rhesus Macaque's Disruptive Behavior

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Primatology
• Animal Behavior

Background:

• Functional analysis (FA) is a method to identify environmental reinforcers of behavior.
• FA is increasingly used in nonhuman animal studies.
• Disruptive behavior in training settings can impede progress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply FA to a rhesus macaque exhibiting disruptive behavior during training.
• To identify environmental variables maintaining the disruptive behavior.
• To implement and evaluate a function-based treatment.

Main Methods:

• A functional analysis was conducted on a rhesus macaque during in-room training.
• Disruptive behavior (toy shaking) was measured.
• Contingent food delivery was tested as a potential reinforcer.
• A treatment involving continuous access to preferred food was implemented.

Main Results:

• Disruptive behavior occurred at 24% duration pre-treatment.
• Contingent food delivery maintained disruptive behavior (57% duration).
• The function-based treatment decreased disruptive behavior by over 90%.

Conclusions:

• Food delivery was identified as the maintaining reinforcer for disruptive behavior.
• A function-based treatment effectively reduced disruptive behavior in a rhesus macaque.
• This study supports the application of FA in nonhuman primates for behavior modification.