My husband gave me this funny video but it’s actually a serious study on the source of morality: nurture or nature? The video is taken from a TED talk by Frans de Waal, a primatologist and author of several popular books. His talk is called Moral behavior in Animals.
In this experiment, two Capuchin monkeys are presented with an unfair scenario. As de Waal notes, cucumbers are acceptable food for the monkeys, but they prefer grapes. De Waal claims that monkeys like food in proportion to its price at the supermarket — he’s a funny guy and worth watching if you have 18 minutes.
The two Capuchins can see each other, one getting cucumbers and the other grapes for performing the same task. They must give the experimenter a rock before they get a piece of food.
Watch what happens. Then think about how it applies to humans (and in parenting!!)
p.s. This is his book. His fundamental question is Evolved Morality? Can we evolve morality without God and religion? Interesting topic!
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Haha! That scenario looks familiar. 🙂
Hi Asian Mommy,
It’s funny, isn’t it? My kids go berserk too when there is an egregious act of unfairness. The poor Capucin monkey with the cucumbers!
This video was really great,,, Thanks so much for sharing! I can’t wait to see future studies on this topic.
Thanks Barbara! It’s fascinating, isn’t it?
Have you read the book? I would be curious to hear what you think of it!
Hi MaryAnne,
No, I haven’t read the book yet. I just found it while pulling that blog post together. I did watch the longer video of his TEDTalk. He’s so interesting (and funny!).
I love these sorts of experiments – so interesting. I can’t watch the video right now, since I’m in Starbucks, but I’ll have a family sit-down later to watch. I have a feeling the poor monkey who gets stuck with the cucumbers won’t be very happy. DON’T TELL ME WHAT HAPPENS!
Hi Jeanette,
Your kids will love the video. That is all I will say. My kids watched it a few times, cracking up each time! They can totally relate!
That scenario does look all too familiar lol. Poses an interesting question though.
Hi Rose,
I think this line of research is really interesting.
So funny! For the longest time I wouldn’t give my kids chocolate milk for fear they would stop liking regular milk.
Hi Ann,
My kids get hooked on chocolate milk too when they start drinking it but I would not dare let one kid and not the others have it. You get the mutiny in the video, that’s for sure!