Abstract: The idea that consistencies in behavior exist over time and across situations underlies human personality research. Although several studies have examined personality in nonhuman primates, there are very few data showing the predictive power of personality factors. The goal of the present study was to determine whether personality dimensions, identified in adult male rhesus monkeys living in half-acre cages, predicted behavior in situations different from the one from which the dimensions were originally derived and at time points of up to 4.5 years after the original assessments. Four personality dimensions (Sociability, Confidence, Excitability, and Equability) were identified using psychometric procedures and were correlated with behaviors recorded in several situations: the animals' natal groups, during tests of behavioral responsiveness while in individual cages, in small stable and unstable social groups, while viewing stimulus videotapes, and during stable social dyads. Results indicated substantial predictability. Sociability reflected a greater tendency to engage in affiliative interactions. Confidence correlated with more aggressive behaviors and with behaviors that suggest less attractiveness. Animals high in Excitability were somewhat inconsistent in their social behavior, perhaps reflecting hyper-responsiveness to novel circumstances and thwarted opportunities for escape. Equability appeared to be related to a less aggressive, more passive, style of interaction. Excitability and Equability appear to reflect more stylistic components of social behavior, whereas Sociability and Confidence may be more content-based dimensions. Sociability was strongly related to size of kin network in the animals' natal groups, suggesting an important role for ontogeny in this dimension. These data suggest that a limited number of personality dimensions exist in adult male rhesus macaques, and that these dimensions have predictive power that is both long-term and cross situational.

Abstract: Based on an intensive analysis of literature, the study summarizes problems involved in the significance of domesticated dogs as objects of instruction and assistants of the education of children. Several important topics are discussed in view of advances for children in families keeping dogs. Such topics are mainly related to a general socio-emotional level, the support of cognitive development and character formation. Further aspects are the acquisition of a sense of responsibility, and the development of self-confidence, a sense of social membership and security, as well as important attributes of character such as frankness, broad mindedness, and sympathetic understanding. Moreover, knowledge about the life cycle and functions of body organs can be conveyed, and the dog could, at least in part, substitute for brothers and sisters. Basically, positive attitudes towards animals in general, as well as nature and environment are supported. All topics are critically commented and considered to be realistic or not. The supporting role of parents, in particular, is emphasized. Parental commitment should include deep concern with the typical attributes of the dog breed desired, and optimal dog keeping conditions to prevent harm to the children. The final commentary lays special emphasis on negative features of domestication for a pet owner, and cautions against non-biological and illusionary ideas about domesticated animals.

Abstract: Abstract: The relationship between degree of social bonding (extent of association among individuals) and level of aggression in ruminants is unclear. I examined social bonding and aggression in three groups of female Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) over 2 years. I hypothesized that when animals are socially bonded, bouts of aggression will be won by the individual initiating the aggression, occur quickly, and involve little physical contact, and the level of aggression does not correlate with group size. The degree of social bonding was high among individuals in all groups. Dyads of known individuals were together >80% of the time. A permutation analysis indicated that groups with the observed sizes had <0.001 chance of random association, except on one occasion when the probability was 0.72 for one group. Using focal-animal sampling, aggressive interactions were won 72% of the time by the initiator, occurred quickly (<5 s), and involved little physical contact, and the level of aggression was not correlated with group size. The level of aggression was, however, significantly lower in one of the groups. This group may have had access to more abundant food resources than the other groups. Socially bonded elk conducted aggressive interactions in a fashion that did not disrupt social stability. Résumé : La relation entre le degré de liaison sociale (importance des associations entre individus) et l`agressivité n`est pas claire chez les ruminants. J`ai étudié les liaisons sociales et l`agressivité chez trois groupes de femelles du Cerf de Roosevelt (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) pendant 2 ans. J`ai posé en hypothèse que, chez les animaux liés socialement, la victoire devrait être emportée par l`individu qui entreprend l`agression, l`agression devrait être de courte durée, se faire avec peu de contacts physiques et la fréquence des agressions ne devrait pas être liée à la taille du groupe. Des paires d`individus passaient plus de 80% de leur temps ensemble. Une analyse des permutations a démontré que, chez les groupes des tailles observées, la probabilité d`une association aléatoire était de moins de 0,001, sauf en un cas où cette probabilité a été évaluée à 0,72 chez un groupe. Par échantillonnage directionnel, j`ai observé que les interactions agressives étaient gagnées par l`individu attaquant 72% du temps, étaient de courte durée (<5 s), se faisaient avec peu de contacts physiques et leur fréquence n`était pas reliée à la taille du groupe. Il y avait cependant moins d`agressivité chez l`un des groupes. Il se peut que ce groupe ait eu accès à plus de ressources alimentaires que les autres. Chez les cerfs liés par des liens sociaux, l`agressivité ne se manifeste pas de façon à déséquilibrer la stabilité sociale.

Abstract: Human relationships or interactions with horses have varied throughout history depending on human needs, but it is horses' ability to carry a human individual that has had perhaps the greatest impact on their relationship with man. Despite our long association with the horse, there have been few studies on human-horse relationships. There is little historical evidence on individual relationships with horses but indications of strong human-horse relationships have been noted in mounted societies, such as North American Plains Indians. Riding a horse has traditionally been associated with power, and was reserved for the ruling elite in many areas. Demographic data suggest that human relationships with horses may have changed in recent times. Although the lack of land and the relatively high cost of horse care may reduce the possibility of ownership for many people, the availability of riding establishments and increases in leisure time mean that riding is no longer restricted to the upper classes. There is a wide range in type and intensity of potential interactions with horses, indicating that human-horse relationships are likely to vary considerably. Some people appear to sacrifice a great deal in order to own a horse. However, the motivation behind these activities and the process by which an individual assesses personal costs of ownership versus their perceived benefits remains to be studied. Future research should focus on characterising the human-horse relationship, and the degree of individual and cultural variation. A greater understanding of horse owner perceptions of 'costs' versus 'benefits' may also increase our understanding of the relationship and the economic importance of horses in society.

Abstract: This paper summarizes the current views on coping styles as a useful concept in understanding individual adaptive capacity and vulnerability to stress-related disease. Studies in feral populations indicate the existence of a proactive and a reactive coping style. These coping styles seem to play a role in the population ecology of the species. Despite domestication, genetic selection and inbreeding, the same coping styles can, to some extent, also be observed in laboratory and farm animals. Coping styles are characterized by consistent behavioral and neuroendocrine characteristics, some of which seem to be causally linked to each other. Evidence is accumulating that the two coping styles might explain a differential vulnerability to stress mediated disease due to the differential adaptive value of the two coping styles and the accompanying neuroendocrine differentiation.