Social influences on visual attention in primates

• Main Author: Lane, Lisa
• Published: University of Portsmouth 2008
• Subjects: 599.815
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.494139

Studies of visual attention in primates have generally focused on anti-predatory functions of vigilance, and likewise, social attention is commonly associated with protecting against threat. However, little research has tested whether threat protection provides the best representation of social visual attention in primate groups. Moreover, social monitoring has rarely been considered as a function of social relationships and whether affiliation important. This thesis is comprised of a series of studies examining social monitoring in captive chimpanzees, orang-utans and siamangs; and in free ranging chacma baboons and ring-tailed lemurs. Particular emphasis placed on considering social monitoring as a dyadic social interaction, involving both an initiator and recipient of attention. This 'social' approach to social monitoring uses dyadic social relationships within the group and attributes of the initiator and recipient to interpret visual attention.