TED: Why monkeys (and humans) are wired for fairness | Sarah Brosnan

The video explores the behavior of capuchin monkeys, focusing on their sense of fairness. It describes an experiment where monkeys trade tokens for food, revealing their preference for fairness over inequality. The video draws parallels between monkey behavior and human reactions to fairness, highlighting the evolutionary basis for cooperation. It discusses how fairness impacts societal structures and the importance of maintaining equitable systems for cooperation.

What did Ozzy the monkey try to trade for a peanut?

• A quarter of an orange

• A slice of apple

• A piece of banana

• A handful of grapes

In the study, what did one monkey receive as a reward while the other sometimes received a grape?

• A slice of apple

• A handful of peanuts

• A piece of cucumber

• A piece of banana

Why do humans often prefer earning less money if it means earning more than others?

• To have more leisure time

• To reduce work stress

• To maintain a sense of fairness

• To avoid paying higher taxes

What is the evolutionary reason for humans caring about fairness?

• To avoid conflicts

• To maintain cooperative relationships

• To ensure personal survival

• To increase individual wealth

How do capuchin monkeys react when they receive less than another monkey?

• They ignore the inequality

• They refuse to cooperate

• They become more cooperative

• They try to steal the better reward

What societal issues are linked to the sense of fairness?

• Cultural diversity

• Environmental conservation

• Technological advancements

• Economic inequality and social protests

What is a key difference between humans and capuchin monkeys regarding cooperation?

• Monkeys have legal systems

• Humans are less cooperative

• Humans are more cooperative

• Monkeys rely on technology

Why might humans reject unfairness even when they benefit from it?

• To reduce personal stress

• To gain social approval

• To maintain long-term relationships

• To avoid feeling guilty

What happens when people feel excluded from the benefits of legal and economic systems?

• They seek legal action

• They stop participating

• They move to another country

• They work harder

What does the narrator suggest is necessary for societal stability?

• Increased wealth

• A sense of fairness

• Cultural diversity

• Technological advancement