Date of Award
8-2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Sarah Brosnan
Second Advisor
Micheal Beran
Third Advisor
Erin Tone
Abstract
This study investigates how capuchin monkeys (Cebus spp.) navigate cooperative decision-making in the prisoner's dilemma task, focusing on the influence of social relationships and decision-making order. Analyzing data from individual trials across multiple sessions, I demonstrate that capuchins adjust their choices based on their partner's previous and current decisions, as well as the quality of their social relationship, measured by grooming frequency. Notably, the impact of these factors varies depending on whether the capuchin is the first or second to choose in a trial. Our findings reveal a nuanced strategy where capuchins exhibit both matching behavior and strategic variation in response to their partner's choices. Despite challenges in capturing all behavioral variability, our study underscores the significance of social bonds and decision-making dynamics in shaping cooperative interactions among capuchin monkeys, contributing to broader understandings of animal social cognition and cooperation.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/37452811
Recommended Citation
Simmons, Sierra, "Capuchin (Cebus [Sapajus] apella] Monkeys Change Their Choices Due to Social Context in an Iterated Prisoners Dilemma." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2024.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/37452811
File Upload Confirmation
1