Evolutionary origins of money categorization and exchange: an experimental investigation in tufted capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.)

Petrillo, Francesca De; Caroli, Martina; Gori, Emanuele; Micucci, Antonia; Gastaldi, Serena; Bourgeois‐Gironde, Sacha; Addessi, Elsa

doi:10.1007/s10071-018-01233-2

Cited by 16 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…For example, capuchins from an Atlanta laboratory were markedly more patient in a delay of gratification task than those from a Rome laboratory [83], raising the possibility that differences in their experiences might shape preferences. Along these lines, one relevant question is whether primate populations that have been trained to use tokens [71][72]84] exhibit different risk preferences from those who have not. Such comparisons can test hypotheses on the drivers of human economic preferences, since the degree of market integration is proposed to influence human populations [5,20].…”

Section: (B) Variation Across Populations Within a Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in primate decision-making under uncertainty and the roots of human economic behaviour

Petrillo

Rosati

2021

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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Uncertainty is a ubiquitous component of human economic behaviour, yet people can vary in their preferences for risk across populations, individuals and different points in time. As uncertainty also characterizes many aspects of animal decision-making, comparative research can help evaluate different potential mechanisms that generate this variation, including the role of biological differences or maturational change versus cultural learning, as well as identify human-unique components of economic decision-making. Here, we examine decision-making under risk across non-human primates, our closest relatives. We first review theoretical approaches and current methods for understanding decision-making in animals. We then assess the current evidence for variation in animal preferences between species and populations, between individuals based on personality, sex and age, and finally, between different contexts and individual states. We then use these primate data to evaluate the processes that can shape human decision-making strategies and identify the primate foundations of human economic behaviour. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Existence and prevalence of economic behaviours among non-human primates’.

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Section: (B) Variation Across Populations Within a Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in primate decision-making under uncertainty and the roots of human economic behaviour

Petrillo

Rosati

2021

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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“…More generally, a promising research area uses, as in revealed preference studies of humans in economics, observed animal behavior to assess animal welfare (see, e.g., Mason, Cooper and Clarebrough 2001). Many studies even indicate that some animals understand how to use money as a metrics for exchanging food or else (De Petrillo et al 2019).…”

Section: Sentiencementioning

confidence: 99%

Directly Valuing Animal Welfare in (Environmental) Economics

Carlier

Treich

2020

IRERE

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Research in economics is anthropocentric. It only cares about the welfare of humans, and usually does not concern itself with animals. When it does, animals are treated as resources, biodiversity, or food. That is, animals only have instrumental value for humans. Yet unlike water, trees or vegetables, and like humans, most animals have a brain and a nervous system. They can feel pain and pleasure, and many argue that their welfare should matter. Some economic studies value animal welfare, but only indirectly through humans' altruistic valuation. This overall position of economics is inconsistent with the utilitarian tradition and can be qualified as speciesist. We suggest that economics should directly value the welfare of sentient animals, at least sometimes. We briefly discuss some possible implications and challenges for (environmental) economics.

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“…The present naturalistic research setting represents a unique opportunity to study field economics and explore macroeconomic phenomena in non-human primates in environmental conditions that are more externally and ecologically valid than those provided by the traditional token exchange paradigm. Further experimental research on the Uluwatu macaques should make future cross-species comparisons of economic decision-making and symbolic tool use more relevant from an evolutionary perspective and may ultimately lead to a better understanding of the origins of autonomous monetary systems in humans [29]. Data accessibility.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acquisition of object-robbing and object/food-bartering behaviours: a culturally maintained token economy in free-ranging long-tailed macaques

Leca

Gunst

Gardiner

et al. 2021

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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The token exchange paradigm shows that monkeys and great apes are able to use objects as symbolic tools to request specific food rewards. Such studies provide insights into the cognitive underpinnings of economic behaviour in non-human primates. However, the ecological validity of these laboratory-based experimental situations tends to be limited. Our field research aims to address the need for a more ecologically valid primate model of trading systems in humans. Around the Uluwatu Temple in Bali, Indonesia, a large free-ranging population of long-tailed macaques spontaneously and routinely engage in token-mediated bartering interactions with humans. These interactions occur in two phases: after stealing inedible and more or less valuable objects from humans, the macaques appear to use them as tokens, by returning them to humans in exchange for food. Our field observational and experimental data showed (i) age differences in robbing/bartering success, indicative of experiential learning, and (ii) clear behavioural associations between value-based token possession and quantity or quality of food rewards rejected and accepted by subadult and adult monkeys, suggestive of robbing/bartering payoff maximization and economic decision-making. This population-specific, prevalent, cross-generational, learned and socially influenced practice may be the first example of a culturally maintained token economy in free-ranging animals. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Existence and prevalence of economic behaviours among non-human primates'.

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Evolutionary origins of money categorization and exchange: an experimental investigation in tufted capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.)

Cited by 16 publications

References 40 publications

Variation in primate decision-making under uncertainty and the roots of human economic behaviour

Variation in primate decision-making under uncertainty and the roots of human economic behaviour

Directly Valuing Animal Welfare in (Environmental) Economics

Acquisition of object-robbing and object/food-bartering behaviours: a culturally maintained token economy in free-ranging long-tailed macaques

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