Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Properties of one-zero scores in observational studies of primate social behavior: The effect of assumptions on empirical analyses

  • Published:
Primates Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Empirical analyses of techniques for observing spontaneous social behavior have been guided by implicit assumptions about the techniques’ validity, reliability, and comparability. The actual duration and actual frequency of a behavior have been used as intuitive standards of validity. Noncorrespondence among absolute values obtained from these measures and from one-zero scores has been taken to mean that one-zero scores are invalid. An analysis of macaque and gelada grooming relationships demonstrated how unjustified assumptions about absolute values can affect conclusions. A statistical comparison of four types of observation scores, and a multiple-regression analysis of one-zero scores, contradicted assumptions made previously about reliability and validity. The four methods were comparable and all were reasonably accurate.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altmann, J., 1974. Observational study of behavior: sampling methods.Behaviour, 48: 1–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Altmann, S. A. &S. S. Wagner, 1970. Estimating rates of behavior from Hansen frequencies.Primates, 11: 181–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anastasi, A., 1976.Psychological Testing. Macmillan, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunbar, R. I. M., 1976. Some aspects of research design and their implications in the observational study of behaviour.Behaviour, 58: 78–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feinberg, S. E., 1972. On the use of Hansen frequencies for estimating rates of behavior.Primates, 13: 323–326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guilford, J. P., 1954.Psychometric Methods. McGraw-Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendy-Neely, H. &R. J. Rhine, 1977. Social development of stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides): Momentary touching and other interactions with adult males during the infants’ first 60 days of life.Primates, 18: 589–600.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinde, R. A. &Y. Spencer-Booth, 1967. The behaviour of socially-living rhesus monkeys in their first two and one-half years.Anim. Behav., 15: 169–196.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kraemer, H. C., 1979. One-zero sampling in the study of primate behavior.Primates, 20: 237–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leger, D. W., 1977. An empirical evaluation of instantaneous and one-zero sampling of chimpanzee behavior.Primates, 18: 387–393.

    Google Scholar 

  • Redican, W. K., 1977. Time-sampling observational strategies. Paper presented at the meetings of the American Society of Primatologists, Seattle.

  • Rhine, R. J. &M. Flanigon, 1978. An empirical comparison of one-zero, focal-animal and instantaneous methods of sampling spontaneous primate social behavior.Primates, 19: 353–361.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———— &C. Kronenwetter, 1972. Interaction patterns of two newly formed groups of stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides).Primates, 13: 19–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, M. J. A. &A. E. Simpson, 1977. One-zero and scan methods for sampling behaviour.Anim. Behav., 25: 726–731.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suomi, S. J. &H. F. Harlow, 1972. Social rehabilitation of isolate-reared monkeys.Develop. Psychol., 6: 487–496.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, 92521, Riverside, California, USA

    Ramon J. Rhine & Ann K. Linville

Authors
  1. Ramon J. Rhine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ann K. Linville
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

About this article

Cite this article

Rhine, R.J., Linville, A.K. Properties of one-zero scores in observational studies of primate social behavior: The effect of assumptions on empirical analyses. Primates 21, 111–122 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02383828

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02383828

Keywords

Search

Navigation