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Tolerance and reward equity predict cooperation in ravens (Corvus corax)
Jorg J M Massen1, Caroline Ritter1, Thomas Bugnyar1,2
1University of Vienna, Department of Cognitive Biology, Vienna, Austria.
Scientific Reports
|October 8, 2015
Summary
Ravens spontaneously cooperate in problem-solving tasks, showing success increases with tolerance. They also avoid cheating, making them a key model for studying cooperation evolution.
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior
- Cognitive Ecology
- Comparative Psychology
Background:
- Cooperative decision-making is primarily studied in mammals with complex social structures.
- The cognitive mechanisms and evolutionary basis of cooperation require broader species investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cooperative problem-solving abilities in ravens (Corvus corax).
- To determine if ravens exhibit spontaneous cooperation and sensitivity to social dynamics.
Main Methods:
- A loose-string task was employed to assess cooperative problem-solving in nine untrained ravens.
- Cooperation was tested in both forced dyadic and open group settings.
- Inter-individual tolerance and responses to reward distribution were monitored.
Main Results:
- Ravens spontaneously cooperated without prior training.
- Cooperative success correlated positively with inter-individual tolerance levels.
- Ravens adjusted cooperation based on reward distribution and ceased cooperation when cheated.
Conclusions:
- Ravens exhibit sophisticated cooperative behaviors, including sensitivity to fairness.
- Their natural cooperative tendencies and cognitive abilities position them as a valuable model species for studying the evolution of cooperation.
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