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Great apes' risk-taking strategies in a decision making task.

ABSTRACT: We investigate decision-making behaviour in all four non-human great ape species. Apes chose between a safe and a risky option across trials of varying expected values. All species chose the safe option more often with decreasing probability of success. While all species were risk-seeking, orangutans and chimpanzees chose the risky option more often than gorillas and bonobos. Hence all four species' preferences were ordered in a manner consistent with normative dictates of expected value, but varied predictably in their willingness to take risks.

SUBMITTER: Haun DB

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3244423 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Great apes' risk-taking strategies in a decision making task.

Haun Daniel B M DB Nawroth Christian C Call Josep J

PloS one 20111221 12

We investigate decision-making behaviour in all four non-human great ape species. Apes chose between a safe and a risky option across trials of varying expected values. All species chose the safe option more often with decreasing probability of success. While all species were risk-seeking, orangutans and chimpanzees chose the risky option more often than gorillas and bonobos. Hence all four species' preferences were ordered in a manner consistent with normative dictates of expected value, but va ...[more]

PMID: 22216113

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