Monkeys Understand Basic Forms of Wealth
Cutthroat greed and resource hoarding are traits common to many humans, but new research reveals that monkeys understand basic forms of wealth and will make moves to increase their own affluence amongst their tribe.
By considering water intake as a quantifiable measure of wealth among individuals in a tribe of rhesus macaques which had been trained in a simple gambling exercise, the researchers were able to observe the monkeys actively making choices that would enrich their own water supply. The study sought to understand whether monkeys share human risk attitudes and economic rationality, as well as how the possession of wealth - in this case water - alters risk-taking behaviors.
"We found that after training, monkeys are very rational. Just like humans, monkeys are able to select objectively better options from a menu of choices. If there is an alternative that offers better outcomes in all circumstances, they will go for it," said Agnieszka Tymula, from the University of Sydney School of Economics. "The monkeys also seem to share human risk preferences. They were slightly risk averse and we know that humans would behave similarly in these experimental conditions."
To test the monkeys, the researchers devised an experiment where the monkeys were presented with two pie charts, one symbolizing that they would receive a small but guaranteed amount of water, and the other symbolizing a (usually) greater water reward but with chance of receiving nothing at all. The amounts of water associated with the sure and risky options varied and were presented randomly.
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http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/3979/20130914/monkeys-understand-basic-forms-wealth.htm
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