Conflicting Drives

Often animals must decide between behavioral priorities. A key goal of drive theory is to explain how such conflicts are resolved. This baby Duoc Langur, filmed at the San Diego Zoo, is split between the desire to play and the desire to be near its mother's protection. The baby monkey cannot resolve the conflict, so vacillates between the two activties. At the end of the video clip the baby scratches itself; this self-directed behavior (SDB) may be a reflection of the anxiety caused by this conflict.

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Video courtesy of Chadwick Tillberg
copyright ©2002 Michael D. Breed, all rights reserved