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Monkeys and Cognitive Dissonance
Hugh Pickens writes "People deal with cognitive dissonance — the clashing of conflicting thoughts — by eliminating one of the thoughts. Psychologists have suggested we hone our skills of rationalization in order to impress others, reaffirm our "moral integrity" and protect our "self-concept" and feeling of "global self-worth." Now experimenters at Yale have demonstrated that other primates employ the same psychological mechanism. In one experiment, a monkey was observed to show an equal preference for three colors of M&M's and was given a choice between two of them. If he chose red over blue, his preference changed and he downgraded blue. When he was subsequently given a choice between blue and green, it was no longer an even contest — he was now much more likely to reject the blue. Rationalization is thought to have an evolutionary utility; once a decision has been made, second-guessing may just interfere with more important business. "We tend to think people have an explicit agenda to rewrite history to make themselves look right, but that's an outsider's perspective. This experiment shows that there isn't always much conscious thought going on," said one researcher."
I think we should all take the high road and not take a swing at the underhanded pitch thrown to us here. Bush administration references are just too easy. Save yourself the time and just laugh preemptively.
I got a catholic block.
Heck, one look at drivers, TV, and movies today could've told ya that for a LOT less money.
Don't tell me to get a life. I'm a gamer; I have LOTS of lives!
I'm sorry, but Blue M&Ms taste disgusting. Even a monkey knows that.
You only say that because you said it last time.
...but frankly, I think these are some pretty heavy conclusions to draw from the discussed studies. I hope his mentor doesn't get to read that comment. It might cost him his PhD.Do it yourself, because no one else will do it yourself. [beta blockade 10-17 Feb]
No, these are psychologists, not real scientists.
I agree with you, while the numerous studies have shown cognitive dissonance in humans - if all they have to prove it in monkeys is that study then they are not on solid ground. Having said that I do think that its highly likely that monkeys do use this process, simply because they share a lot of other behaviours with us as well.
Control is an illusion, order our comforting lie. From chaos, through chaos, into chaos we fly
So this is why the other side in the [insert heated political debate] is wrong.
And here I thought that they were just stupid.
"Giving money and power to governments is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys." - P.J. O'Rourke
How can they ethically give M&Ms to an animal? Depraved scientists, inflicting harm just for the fun of it.
... and then they built the supercollider.
Yeah. I wish the monkey could tell them, 'You know what? Did it ever occur to you I just don't like blue fucking M&M's? They're just unnatural.'
If monkeys are stupid enough to develop a preference of one color m&m over another, then I agree it's not extendable to human phychology. They taste exactly the same.
Are you seriously suggesting that no humans have a color preference for m&m's ? How many humans have you actually met?
Obviously not. The green taste sexier.
I would think that being a monkey and getting to eat M&M's all day would be reward enough.
It should've ended with: "We tend to think people have an explicit agenda to rewrite history to make themselves look right, but that's an outsider's perspective. This experiment shows that there isn't always much conscious thought going on," said one researcher who was using his skills of rationalization in order to impress others.
Scientist : The Matrix is everywhere. It's all around us, even in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes.
The Matrix is the world that has been pulled over your eyes, to blind you from the truth.
Monkey : What truth?
Scientist : That you are a slave, Monkey. Like everyone else, you were born into bondage, born into a prison that you cannot smell or taste or touch. A prison...for your mind....Unfortunately, no one can be..._told_ what the Matrix is...you have to see it for yourself.
Scientist opens a container which holds two M&Ms : a blue one, and a red one. He puts one in each hand, and holds them out to the Monkey.
Scientist : This is your _last chance_. After this, there is no turning back.....You take the blue M&M, the story ends. You wake up and believe...whatever you want to believe. You take the red M&M.....you stay in wonderland...and I show you just how
deep the rabbit hole goes.
Is it any wonder the monkey never took the blue one? It wanted to learn Kung-fu...
Yes but that magazine had over 1001 high street bargains, the top 10 tips to get the man of your dreams and how to lose 14 pounds in one week. It's impossible no to look.