The research, carried out in a controlled setting, involved teaching the monkeys the concept of currency over six months.
Initially unfamiliar with coins, the capuchins eventually learned to exchange them for treats, showing a rudimentary understanding of monetary transactions.
To test their decision-making, Chen offered food at equal prices and later introduced price shocks by doubling the cost of their preferred treats.
The monkeys responded logically, switching to cheaper alternatives, demonstrating their ability to adapt to changing economic conditions.
A particularly chaotic incident occurred when a monkey spilled a pile of coins, triggering a frenzy that underscored the monkeys’ recognition of the coins’ value.
Furthermore, a surprising instance of transactional behavior for a coin suggested a deeper grasp of currency’s utility, drawing notable parallels to human economic behavior.
