Monkeys would rather see and do: preference for agentic control in rhesus macaques.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Science
• Animal Behavior
• Primate Studies

Background:

• Understanding the basis of goal-directed behavior is crucial in cognitive science.
• Investigating animal preferences can reveal fundamental aspects of motivation and control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if rhesus monkeys prefer outcomes contingent on their actions versus externally caused outcomes.
• To explore the concept of agentic control in non-human primates.

Main Methods:

• Rhesus monkeys performed computerized tasks simulating billiards and arcade games.
• Reward delivery was contingent on subject actions in one condition and externally caused in another.
• Reward frequency and timing were controlled to isolate preference for control.

Main Results:

• Subjects consistently preferred scenarios where their actions led to food rewards (agentic control).
• This preference persisted even when reward schedules were identical across conditions.
• The findings indicate a robust preference for self-driven outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Rhesus monkeys exhibit a clear preference for agentic control, valuing the link between action and outcome.
• This suggests a fundamental motivation for goal-directed behavior in primates.
• The study highlights the importance of perceived control in reinforcement learning.