Capuchin monkey fairness experiment

Summary

In this experiment, a subject is given a rock and asked to perform a task where they exchange it for a piece of cucumber. One subject receives a cucumber for completing the task, while another subject is rewarded with a grape after giving the rock. The first subject observes the second and attempts the same action, but only receives cucumber again. The experiment explores concepts of fairness and expectation as the subjects test their rewards by interacting with the rock and wall, resulting in a humorous reaction.

Takeaways

• 😀 The task involves giving a rock to another person as part of a simple exchange.
• 😀 One individual receives a piece of cucumber as a reward after giving the rock.
• 😀 The second individual receives a grape after giving the rock, indicating a different reward system.
• 😀 The first individual sees the other getting a grape, which may influence their future decisions.
• 😀 The individual who received cucumber initially reacts by giving a rock again, despite not receiving a grape.
• 😀 Laughter and applause occur during the experiment, indicating that the scene might be amusing or surprising.
• 😀 The experiment involves testing the individual's response when the reward system is not equally distributed.
• 😀 The second individual who receives the cucumber again shows frustration by testing the rock against the wall.
• 😀 The task seems to test the emotional response and fairness understanding of the participants.
• 😀 The cucumber is given repeatedly to one participant, while the grape reward system is given to the other, possibly showcasing differing outcomes.

Q & A

What task is being described in the script?

The task involves individuals giving a rock to a researcher in exchange for a food reward, either a grape or a cucumber. The task seems to test the response to rewards.

What is the significance of the rock in the task?

The rock acts as the item that needs to be given to the researcher to receive a reward. It serves as a 'token' in the exchange process.

What happens when the individual gives the rock to the researcher?

When the individual gives the rock to the researcher, they receive a food reward. The reward varies depending on the situation, with some individuals getting a grape and others receiving a cucumber.

Why is there a difference in the type of reward given (grape vs. cucumber)?

The difference in the reward (grape vs. cucumber) appears to be part of the experiment to observe how individuals react to unequal or unexpected outcomes.

What does the individual do when they receive a cucumber instead of a grape?

The individual expresses dissatisfaction when they receive a cucumber instead of a grape, as indicated by their reaction, including testing the rock against a wall.

What is the purpose of the individual testing the rock against the wall?

Testing the rock against the wall may suggest that the individual is exploring the situation, possibly testing the validity of the reward system or how they can affect the outcome.

What might the reaction to receiving cucumber instead of grape suggest about the individual?

The reaction could suggest that the individual has expectations about the rewards and may exhibit frustration or confusion when those expectations are not met.

Why does the individual continue to give the rock even after receiving cucumber?

The individual likely continues to give the rock because they may hope to receive a better reward (grape) after multiple attempts, or they may be following the task instructions regardless of the outcome.

What role does the researcher play in the task described in the script?

The researcher serves as the individual who receives the rock and provides the food reward, controlling the outcome of the task based on the actions of the participants.

What is the overall purpose of this experiment as described in the script?

The experiment appears to be designed to explore how individuals respond to different types of rewards and how they react to perceived fairness or inequality in those rewards.