Psychologists at the University of California and Utrecht have found that chimpanzees can rationally change their views when presented with new evidence. It turns out that these primates, like humans, can reconsider their decisions based on the strength of evidence, which is considered a key element of rational thinking. The study was published in the journal Science.
The study took place in Uganda's Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Animals were shown two boxes, one of which contained food. First, the chimpanzees received a cue that indicated where the candy was hidden. They were then given a new, more persuasive cue that pointed to the other box.
"The chimpanzees changed their minds when more reliable evidence came along," explained Emily Sanford, a researcher at the Laboratory of Social Origins. "This kind of cognitive flexibility is typical of children around four years old. It was amazing to see that chimpanzees can do it too."
To confirm that the animals' behavior was indeed based on logical reasoning and not just instinct, the team conducted highly controlled experiments and used computer simulations. The analysis showed that the chimpanzees' decisions corresponded to strategies for rationally revising their beliefs, rather than simply responding to salient stimuli.
These results challenge the traditional notion that rationality is unique to humans. Scientists believe that understanding the way primates revise their beliefs could change approaches to learning, child development, and even the study of artificial intelligence.
Translation by Euromedia24.com
