Exploring the Cognitive Capacities of Japanese Macaques in a Cooperation Game

Ryan Sigmundson, Mathieu S. Stribos, Roy Hammer, Julia Herzele, Lena Sophie Pflüger, Jorg J.M. Massen (Corresponding author)

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

Cooperation occurs amongst individuals embedded in a social environment. Consequently, cooperative interactions involve a variety of persistent social influences such as the dynamics of partner choice and reward division. To test for the effects of such dynamics, we conducted cooperation experiments in a captive population of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata, N = 164) using a modified version of the loose-string paradigm in an open-experiment design. We show that in addition to becoming more proficient cooperators over the course of the experiments, some of the macaques showed sensitivity to the presence of potential partners and adjusted their behavior accordingly. Furthermore, following an unequal reward division, individuals receiving a lesser reward were more likely to display aggressive and stress-related behaviors. Our experiments demonstrate that Japanese macaques have some understanding of the contingencies involved in cooperation as well as a sensitivity to the subsequent reward division suggestive of an aversion to inequity.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1497
Number of pages23
JournalAnimals
Volume11
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2021

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 106051 Behavioural biology

Keywords

  • BEHAVIOR
  • CAPUCHIN MONKEYS
  • CHIMPANZEES
  • COORDINATION
  • DOMINANCE
  • INEQUALITY
  • INEQUITY AVERSION
  • PAN-TROGLODYTES LEARN
  • RESPONSES
  • TOKEN-EXCHANGE
  • animal cognition
  • ecological validity
  • field experiments
  • inequity aversion
  • loose-string paradigm
  • partner choice
  • Loose‐string paradigm
  • Ecological validity
  • Field experiments
  • Inequity aversion
  • Partner choice
  • Animal cognition

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