Hand preference of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus): Problem solving and responses in a novel setting

Abstract

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) with a right-hand preference displayed shorter latencies to enter a novel room containing novel structures and objects, touched more objects and performed more touches and more parallax movements than marmosets with a left-hand preference. These results are consistent with specialization of the right hemisphere (left hand) for fear and negative emotional states and specialization of the left hemisphere (right hand) for approach and positive emotional states. There were no effects of age or sex on any of these behaviors This relationship between exploration and hand preference did not occur when the marmosets were tested in the home cage with a novel problem, although significant effects of both age and dominance were found in solving the problem.