The pigeons would degenerate gamblers? This is what emerges from a recent study of a group of researcher from the University of Kentucky. Just like humans, some pigeons are close to take risks to win prizes... even if the odds are against them.
The psychology Professor Thomas Zentall has worked with pigeons for over 35 years. He conducted a study on the pigeons to test their affinity for gambling.
The pigeons were trained to Peck on one of the two lights: If pigeon picosait on the right, a light yellow or blue appears and the pigeon will be systematiqeument 3 pellets of food. Conversely, is it picossait on the left light, light green or red appears: the red light gives a "Jackpot" 10 pellets of food to the pigeon, then the green light does nothing at all. Red will appear light 1 time out of 5, giving on average 2 pellets of food per shot pigeon.
To the surprise of the team of researchers, 6 of the 8 birds choose in a very reliable proportion (almost 90%) to try their luck to win the jackpot by choosing the side left, even if the choice of the 3 pads on the side right was 50% more beneficial in the long term.
Interesting fact: additional tests also helped demonstrate that signals of colors allowed to keep pigeons gamblers clinging to the game. Thus, when all red green were associated with the jackpot and had 80% chance to give 10 tablets of foods (rather than red systematically the jackpot and the Green is systematically anything), pigeons then preferred the alternative of 3 pads every time. The researchers made a rapprochement with human behavior during another search, which indicated that humans would be less likely to bet if there's no signal when they earned (for example, if slot machine players did not see all three wheels, or if for example the players couldn't see the ball in the game of roulette).
Other tests have also raised comparisons with humans. For example, Zentall and his team were able to prove that the pigeons living in an enriched environment tend to take less risky choices. This corresponds to the research done on humans, like what humans being satisfied with their lives were less likely to gambler that those who are not satisfied with their lives. Also, the hungry pigeons, like people with less money, tend to gambler, despite the obvious disadvantage to take a risk when they have more to lose.
When you play poker the next time you say therefore that pigeon at your table is perhaps... a true pigeon! :)
You can discuss this new on the forum by clicking the following link: study on the pigeons and the gambling: the pigeons are degenerate gamblers?
