Monkeys demonstrate more cognitive flexibility than humans

A recent study investigating cognitive flexibility concludes that in some situations, capuchin and rhesus monkeys are more adaptable than humans.

Humans live in a complex world. As we learn to navigate it, we build up a series of rules in our brains.

Once we have discovered a way to do something, we are likely to continue doing it in the same way.

This is because finding new solutions can be cognitively demanding.

If something works well, it is usually easiest to stick with it — especially when there are plenty of other puzzles for us to solve in our daily lives.

However, for both monkeys and humans, the environment changes. As a result, sticking to learned rules is not always the most efficient tactic to adopt.

Stuck in a rut?
Many studies have shown that humans are particularly susceptible to becoming stuck in a learned rut.

For instance, in a classic study from the 1940s, researchers asked participants to solve a maze. The only way to complete it was by taking a circuitous zigzag route. However, halfway through multiple trials, the researchers altered the maze so that there was a much simpler shortcut.

The majority of the participants continued using the more complex and time consuming method. In other words, they stuck to what they knew, even when it was not the most efficient solution.

Recently, researchers from Georgia State University in Atlanta set out to discover if capuchin and rhesus monkeys could outperform humans when it came to this type of cognitive flexibility. They have published their findings in the journal Scientific ReportsTrusted Source.

As the study authors explain, it is still not clear why humans often do not "look for better solutions once [they] have found an adequate one."

In the latest study, the researchers worked with 56 human participants, 7 rhesus macaques, and 22 capuchin monkeys.

Both the humans and monkeys learned, through trial and error, to select three icons in a row to receive a reward. The humans won points or heard a jingle, whereas the monkeys received a banana pellet.

If the participants made the wrong choice, they heard a buzzer and received a 2-second time-out.

After 96 trials, the scientists changed the game. For the next 96 trials, to receive the reward, the participants only needed to hit the final icon without having to remember the position of the original two symbols.

In the trials this shortcut was available, all of the monkeys quickly adapted and began using the easier route. In fact, 70% began using it as soon as it became available. However, the humans fared less well, with 61% not using the shortcut at all.

The results are interesting, but as always, there is still much to learn. Study co-author Prof. Sarah Brosnan concludes that the study adds "to the larger body of literature on why humans can be so different from other primates."