In the positive “gain” condition, we framed the fruit option positively. We initially presented it as a single piece of fruit, but, half the time that the apes chose it, we provided them with a second piece as well. The negative “loss” condition was identical, except that in this condition we framed the fruit option negatively. Here we presented the fruit option as two pieces of fruit, but, half the time the apes chose it, we took a piece back and only provided the ape with one.No, idiot. There's nothing irrational about sticking with a vendor you trust. There's nothing irrational about DISLIKING THEFT. There's nothing irrational about PREFERRING TO KEEP WHAT YOU'VE GOT. All of these preferences are NATURAL AND MORAL AND RATIONAL by all traditional definitions of morality AND RATIONALITY.
Even though in both conditions apes who chose the fruit option received identical payoffs—a 50-50 chance of getting one or two pieces of fruit—they chose the fruit option significantly more when it was framed positively than when it was framed negatively: apes, too, make irrational economic decisions.
The current icon shows Polistra using a Personal Equation Machine.