Monkey also knows 'regret'

If you think that regret is a high-level emotion only in humans, it is time for us to reconsider this because a recent study by the Yale University of Medicine also shows 'regret' when they make mistakes.

To arrive at the conclusion, the researchers taught monkeys to play ' rock, paper, scissors ' ( rock, paper, scissors ) similar to the folk game 'rock paper scissors' in Vietnam to follow. their reaction. The game will be played on the computer and the parties will choose one of the symbols, 'stone, paper, scissors' to play in each game.

Monkey also regretted when they made mistakes.

Accordingly, if winning, monkeys will be rewarded with lots of fruits. If they tie, they will be rewarded less and lose, they will get nothing.Yale University of Neuroscience Professor Daeyeol Lee said monkeys often expressed regret when making wrong decisions. After each defeat, they often use the winning symbol in the previous game to use in the next game.

' This shows that monkeys have the ability to analyze the results of previous plays to avoid making mistakes in the next round , ' the researchers said.

To better understand how the monkey's 'regret' is formed, the researchers recorded changes in activity on the monkey's cortex. When they lose in the game, they find that there are two areas on the monkey's cortex related to the formation of this type of emotion. It is the prefrontal cortex in the lower back and the prefrontal cortex.

The researchers hope this finding will be useful in treating patients suffering from mental injury due to obsession with past mistakes. Regret can be a positive emotion in life but sometimes it is a mental burden not easily overcome.