Individual differences in the responses of naïve rhesus monkeys to snakes.
The authors demonstrated individual differences in inhibited behavior and withdrawal responses of laboratory-born rhesus monkeys when initially exposed to a snake. Most monkeys displayed a small significant increase in their behavioral inhibition in the presence of a snake. A few monkeys had marked responses, and some actively withdrew. Although the responses of the most extreme laboratory-born monkeys were comparable to feral-born monkeys, the responses of the laboratory-born monkeys rapidly habituated. The individual differences in the responses of naïve monkeys likely reflect a continuum from orienting to wariness to fear. A neurobiological model is presented that addresses potential mechanisms underlying these individual differences, their relation to fear, and how they may predispose to phobia development.
Nelson
Eric E
EE
Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 53719-1176, USA.
Shelton
Steven E
SE
Kalin
Ned H
NH
D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal; D001288:Attention; D004924:Escape Reaction; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic; D007206:Individuality; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D012911:Snakes