Device for Study of Communication of Dominance without Physical Contact

Abstract

Dominance competition between paired rhesus monkeys ( ns = 4) was compared using a standard apparatus, the Wisconsin General Test Apparatus, and a new device called the Parallel Competition Box. The Parallel Competition Box does not allow physical contact between individual Ss during testing as does the Wisconsin General Test Apparatus. Results comparing the Parallel Competition Box and the Wisconsin General Test Apparatus on food incentive competition indicate that physical contact is not necessary for assertion and maintenance of dominance between socialized rhesus monkeys.