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Neonatal face-to-face interactions promote later social behaviour in infant rhesus monkeys

Author

Listed:
  • Amanda M. Dettmer

    (Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health)

  • Stefano S. K. Kaburu

    (Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
    University of California)

  • Elizabeth A. Simpson

    (Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
    University of Miami)

  • Annika Paukner

    (Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health)

  • Valentina Sclafani

    (Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
    Winnicott Research Unit, University of Reading)

  • Kristen L. Byers

    (Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health)

  • Ashley M. Murphy

    (Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health)

  • Michelle Miller

    (Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
    Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health)

  • Neal Marquez

    (Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
    Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington)

  • Grace M. Miller

    (Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
    Clinical and School Psychology, University of Virginia)

  • Stephen J. Suomi

    (Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health)

  • Pier F. Ferrari

    (University of Parma)

Abstract

In primates, including humans, mothers engage in face-to-face interactions with their infants, with frequencies varying both within and across species. However, the impact of this variation in face-to-face interactions on infant social development is unclear. Here we report that infant monkeys (Macaca mulatta) who engaged in more neonatal face-to-face interactions with mothers have increased social interactions at 2 and 5 months. In a controlled experiment, we show that this effect is not due to physical contact alone: monkeys randomly assigned to receive additional neonatal face-to-face interactions (mutual gaze and intermittent lip-smacking) with human caregivers display increased social interest at 2 months, compared with monkeys who received only additional handling. These studies suggest that face-to-face interactions from birth promote young primate social interest and competency.

Suggested Citation

  • Amanda M. Dettmer & Stefano S. K. Kaburu & Elizabeth A. Simpson & Annika Paukner & Valentina Sclafani & Kristen L. Byers & Ashley M. Murphy & Michelle Miller & Neal Marquez & Grace M. Miller & Stephen, 2016. "Neonatal face-to-face interactions promote later social behaviour in infant rhesus monkeys," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-6, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms11940
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11940
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