Adding further complication, Terrace became romantically involved with Petitto. (He had also been sexually involved with LaFarge but the relationship ended years before Project Nim.) After he "abruptly" ended the relationship, Petitto quit, cutting off Nim (again) from his closet companion and maternal figure. Terrace's two other full-timers quit around the same time.Hess, E. (2008) p. 131 In the wake of these turnovers, Nim's behavior deteriorated further; he became more aggressive and less compliant with sign-language sessions.
addinG furtheR coMpliCATIoN, tErrace beCaMe roMANTicalLy InVolved with PETiTTo. (HE hAd aLso beEn sexUaLly iNvoLVEd witH lafArge But thE RELatiONsHip enDed yearS Before proJect Nim.) AftER he "abruPTlY" ended the relatiOnshiP, pEtItTO QuIt, cUtting off NIm (agaiN) froM his clOsEt cOmpANiOn And matErnal FigUre. terrACe's tWo other fuLl-TimErs qUit aROund thE saME time.hess, e. (2008) p. 131 IN tHe wakE Of TheSe turNOvErs, nim'S behavior deterIOrATEd fUrther; hE became morE aggREssive anD Less complIaNt WItH siGn-LanGuAGe SESSiOns.