Effect of infants on adult social relations in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri Sciureus).

7 groups of squirrel monkeys were observed to assess the effect of infants on social interactions and interanimal distances among adult members of their natal groups. Each group contained one or two infants, 5 to 7 months of age at the start of the study. Infants initiated affiliative and playful interactions with all adults, whereas adults directed few mostly antagonistic, interactions toward infants.