Personality in the behaviour of Great Apes: Temporal stability, cross-situational consistency, and coherence in response

Using a multidisciplinary approach, the present study complements ethological behaviour measurements with basic theoretical concepts, methods, and approaches of the personality psychological trait paradigm. Its adoptability and usefulness for animal studies is tested exemplarily on a sample of 20 zoo-housed great apes (five of each species), bonobos (Pan paniscus), chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus), gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), and orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus abelii). Data on 76 single trait-relevant behaviours were recorded in a series of 14 laboratory based situations and in two different free behaviour situations. Data collection was repeated completely after a timeout of two weeks within a 60-day period. All behaviour records were sufficiently reliable. Individualand variable-oriented analyses showed high/substantial temporal stability on different levels of aggregation. Distinctive and stable individual situational and response profiles clarified the importance of situations and of multiple trait-relevant behaviours. The present study calls for a closer collaboration between personality psychologists and behavioural biologists to tap the full potential of animal personality research.