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Production of depressive behaviors in young monkeys

Journal of autism and childhood schizophrenia volume 1, pages 246–255 (1971)Cite this article

Abstract

Socially unsophisticated rhesus monkeys ranging in age from 6 to 13 months were individually confined in vertical chambers for a total of 30 days. Upon emergence from the chambers they exhibited significant increases in self-clasping and huddling behaviors and decreases in locomotive and exploratory activity. These behavioral changes were similar in direction to those resulting from separation from attachment objects, which have been described as depressive. The utility of the vertical chamber apparatus as a device for the production and study of depression in monkeys is discussed, and implications for the study of child psychoses noted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psyehology Primate Laboratory, University of Wisconsin, USA

    Harry F. Harlow & Stephen J. Suomi

Authors
  1. Harry F. Harlow
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  2. Stephen J. Suomi
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Additional information

This research was supported by USPHS grants MH-11894, MH-18070, and RR-00167 from the National Institutes of Health to the University of Wisconsin Primate Laboratory and Regional Primate Research Center, respectively.

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Harlow, H.F., Suomi, S.J. Production of depressive behaviors in young monkeys. J Autism Dev Disord 1, 246–255 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01557346

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01557346

Keywords

  • Depression
  • Behavioral Change
  • Rhesus Monkey
  • Exploratory Activity
  • Depressive Behavior