THE EFFECTS OF PRE-WEANING SOCIAL ISOLATION AND MOTHER’S PRESENCE ON THE OBJECT EXPLORATION BEHAVIOR OF INFANT <i>OCTODON DEGUS</i>

• UEKITA Tomoko

  Department of Psychology, Kyoto Tachibana University

• KAWAKAMI Sayoko

  Department of Psychology, Kyoto Tachibana University

Abstract

The unique social behavior of degus (Octodon degus) makes them a suitable animal model for social and emotional studies. Using degu pups, we examined the effects of repetitive short-term isolation on novel object exploratory behavior at 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 weeks of age. Isolated pups were separated from their family 14 times for 30 min a day from 6–23 days post-birth. Non-isolated pups were reared with their families. A two-condition (with-mother or without-mother) object exploration test showed an isolation effect at 3 weeks. Compared with non-isolated pups, isolated pups showed longer start latency under the without-mother condition than under the with-mother condition, and less frequent contact with a novel object even when their mother was present. Non-isolated pups showed more frequent contact with the novel object under the with-mother condition than the without-mother condition. Repetitive maternal separation in early life negatively affected degu novel object exploratory behavior.

Journal

• PSYCHOLOGIA

  PSYCHOLOGIA 59 (2-3), 136-147, 2016

  Psychologia Society

Keywords

• <i>Octodon degus</i>
• social isolation
• novel object exploration

Details

• CRID: 1390282680090307200
• NII Article ID: 130006088620
• DOI: 10.2117/psysoc.2016.136
• ISSN: 13475916
• ISSN: 00332852
• Web Site: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/psysoc/59/2-3/59_136/_pdf
• Text Lang: en
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • Crossref
  • CiNii Articles
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed