Yale University researchers have determined monkeys use the same irrational logic as humans in preferring to avoid loss rather than making gains. The research involved tufted capuchin monkeys, a close evolutionary neighbor to humans. The animals were given tokens to use in trading for apples and gelatin squares. The animals had to choose between spending a token on one visible piece of food that half the time gave a return of two pieces, or two pieces of visible food, that half the time gave a return of only one piece. Existing economic theory predicts consumers shouldn’t care, as they are both 50-50 shots at either one or two pieces of food. The capuchins, however, vastly preferred the first option, which is a half chance at a bonus, rather than the second, which is a half chance at a loss. “What we’ve shown is that capuchin monkeys look remarkably like us; making rational decisions in many of the same settings that humans get right, but also make many of the same mistakes we make,” said Keith Chen, assistant professor at Yale School of Management.

Now that they’ve figured that perplexing problem out, AIDS, Cancer and new forms of energy should be no-brainers.