HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS
New study finds similarities between monkey business and human business

Little attention has been paid to whether systematic economic biases such as risk-aversion are learned behaviors and thus easily ameliorated through market incentives or biologically based, arising in novel situations and in spite of experience. In a groundbreaking new study from the Journal of Political Economy, Yale researchers extend this question across species, exploring how a colony of capuchin monkeys responds to economic decisions. They found that monkeys doing business including trading and gambling behave in ways that closely mirror our own behavioral inclinations.

"Traditionally, economists have remained agnostic as to the origins of human preferences," write M. Keith Chen, Venkat Lakshminarayanan, and Laurie R. Santos. "[But] if much of the fundamental structure of our preferences were so deep rooted as to extend to closely-related species, this would bolster the assumption of preference stability."

As part of the study, the researchers presented capuchin monkeys with two payoff-identical gambles: one in which a good outcome was framed as a bonus, and the other in which bad outcomes were emphasized as losses. Like humans, the monkeys displayed a strong preference for the first option, and like humans, the monkeys seemed to weigh the losses more heavily than comparable gains.

"Our results suggest that loss-averse behavior is a very general feature of economic choice," explain the authors. "Given our capuchins' inexperience with trade and gambles, these results suggest that loss-aversion extends beyond humans, and may be innate rather than learned."


'"/>

Contact: Suzanne Wu
swu@press.uchicago.edu
773-834-0386
University of Chicago Press Journals
3-May-2006


Page: 1

Related biology news :

1. New study warns limited carbon market puts 20 percent of tropical forest at risk
2. Clones on task serve greater good, evolutionary study shows
3. Pollution causes 40 percent of deaths worldwide, study finds
4. A study by the MUHC and McGill University opens a new door to understanding cancer
5. New study suggests Concord grape juice may provide protection against breast cancer
6. Preclinical study links gene to brain aneurysm formation
7. In limiting life span, study finds booming bacteria innocent
8. Multicenter study nets new lung tumor-suppressor gene
9. MIT study: Maturity brings richer memories
10. Chickadee, nutchatch presence in conifers increases tree growth, says CU-Boulder study
11. Phase II study of therapeutic vaccine shows efficacy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Post Your Comments:
(Date:5/21/2013)... analysis shows that the nation,s land and water resources ... produce up to 25 billion gallons of algae-based fuel ... country,s yearly needs. , The findings come from an ... needed to grow significant amounts of algae in large, ... the May 7 issue of Environmental Science and ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... of Michigan Water Center today awarded 12 research ... restoration and protection efforts. , The two-year grants ... including efforts to track the remediation of harmful ... control non-native weedy plant invasions; study chromosomal damage ... to restoration activities. , The grants were awarded ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... decades, scientists have developed many devices that can reopen ... generally effective, each of these treatments has drawbacks, including ... from MIT analyzes the potential usefulness of a new ... drug-releasing stents, but may pose fewer risks. With this ... for only a brief period, during which it releases ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Going green: Nation equipped to grow serious amounts of pond scum for fuel 2Going green: Nation equipped to grow serious amounts of pond scum for fuel 3Going green: Nation equipped to grow serious amounts of pond scum for fuel 4U-M Water Center awards $570K in Great Lakes restoration grants 2U-M Water Center awards $570K in Great Lakes restoration grants 3U-M Water Center awards $570K in Great Lakes restoration grants 4Evaluating a new way to open clogged arteries 2Evaluating a new way to open clogged arteries 3
(Date:5/21/2013)... 21, 2013 Savoury Systems International (SSI), ... Dale Braddy to Southeastern USA Sales Broker. Braddy’s new ... muscle in the Southeast. , In 2004 ... and supplier to food processors and industrial manufacturers. ... the food industry and has over 25 years of ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... Many have long discussed the link between mental ... from Clinical Psychiatry.com readdressed the topic of ... suggested using hypnotherapy and other mental health ... that cause acne. , Doctors in the article mentioned ... stress causes changes in the skin that have been ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... May 21, 2013 Bed bugs have become ... My Cleaning Products, many turn to chemical-based pesticides for help ... health and environmental risks those solutions present, the company advised ... Bug Bully instead. , According to My Cleaning Products, ... they used to be. It shared that the pests have ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... Possible mold re-infestation in Guilemtte School sparked concern ... from eagletribune.com posted May 14, 2013, the state is going ... positive, My Cleaning Products offered a tip how to ... was said in the Eagle Tribune report (5.14.13) that the ... after a first-grade classroom was closed due to the high-level ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Adult Acne Treatment, Probiotic Action Explains How Hypnotherapy and Probiotics May Cure Various Skin Conditions 2New Guide to Kill Bed Bugs Published by My Cleaning Products, Company Enumerates Non-Toxic Means to Clear the Pests 2New Guide to Kill Bed Bugs Published by My Cleaning Products, Company Enumerates Non-Toxic Means to Clear the Pests 3Possible Mold Re-infestation Gets Guilmette School Scheduled for Re-inspection, My Cleaning Products Offers Tip How to Kill Mold Safely If Inspection Turns Positive 2Possible Mold Re-infestation Gets Guilmette School Scheduled for Re-inspection, My Cleaning Products Offers Tip How to Kill Mold Safely If Inspection Turns Positive 3
Cached News: