Dr. Scollay's research is primarily concerned with nonhuman primates. She has long standing research interests in defining and measuring the specific aspects of captivity the influence behavior and development. In previous research she has focused on available substrates and the influence of the visitors. Her current research centers on predictors of play in monkeys and apes. Recent research in nonprimate species has shown that the amount of play seen in a species can be predicted by brain size rather than metabolic rates.
All primates have relatively large brains yet there is considerable variation in patterns of play.
The current research is designed to determine what other variables influence species-specific play patterns. Dr. Scollay is beginning a new research program investigating long-term effects of literacy programs. This research is being carried out with the California State Library System. Graduates of their adult literacy program will be followed longitudinally, assessing changes in quality of life. Submitted for publication.