The proximal causes of self-injurious behavior have been widely studied in captive primates; either social or nonsocial factors can trigger this type of behavior. Social factors include changes in group composition, stress, separation from the group, approaches by or aggression from members of other groups, conspecific male individuals nearby, separation from females, and removal from the group.
The proximal causes of self-injurious behavior in primates have been extensively studied, and both social and non-social factors can trigger it. Social factors include changes in group composition, stress, isolation from the group, interactions with other groups or individuals, proximity to male conspecifics, separation from females, and removal from the group.