Visual preference patterns in rhesus macaques

The first part of this thesis focuses on the advantages of researching visual preference in individuals, highlighting its evolutionary development and the importance of comparative research involving non-human primates. The subsequent section explores the concept of the uncanny valley effect, aiming to deepen our understanding of its causes and effects. Specifically, it examines whether this phenomenon can be attributed to an adaptive feature and investigates its impact on rhesus macaques. Finally, the second part of this elaborate will focus on a research study conducted during an internship at the Poncelab, a part of the neurobiology department at Harvard Medical School. Under the supervision of Dr. Carlos Ponce, an experiment was designed by a colleague and myself using a 2-image preferential task to examine the presence of the Uncanny Valley effect in rhesus macaques. The goals of the study will be outlined, followed by a description of the methods employed and the presentation of the results obtained. A thorough analysis of the limitations encountered will be provided, and potential implications and future directions arising from this research will be discussed.