Model-Oriented Sexual Behavior in Surrogate-Reared Rhesus Monkeys

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Abstract
Surrogate- and mother-rearedrhesus monkeys were exposed to a stationary cloth-covered model. All four of the surrogate-reared animals displayed social and sexual patterns toward the object while none of the six mother-reared animals did so. While both of the surrogate-reared males performed repeated mounts on the object, one of these males was capable of consistently performing complete sequences of properly oriented mounts interspersed with grooming and terminating in ejaculation. When tested with female monkeys, neither of the surrogate-reared males performed repeated mounts. The establishment and maintenance of contact requisite for sexual interaction with the females appeared to be prevented by the surrogate-reared males'' tendencies to either passivity and withdrawal or erratic aggressiveness. Since the presence of a reciprocally active female monkey disrupted the expression of sexual patterns elicited by the unresponsive model, it was suggested that early adjustment to a noninteractive ''mother'' interferes primarily with the surrogate-reared monkey''s perception of the social object and ability to organize interactive social events.

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