We are more alike than we think: cognitive tests in which chimpanzees beat humans

We might think that we are far more advanced than our primate cousins. But we share 98.8% of our DNA with some species, like chimpanzees, and they are better at some cognitive tests than humans.

In a 2014 study, two psychologists compared us through a one-on-one video game. The players had to select one of two squares on the screen. Player A won if they chose the same as Player B, who won if they chose the opposite.

The study compared the performance of pairs of chimps and pairs of humans. The game's goal, as in poker or chess, would be to figure out the opponent's pattern to anticipate their moves.

Using game theory, the researchers determined a perfect mathematical pattern for the game called "equilibrium state." The point when both players had predicted the behavior of the other. Chimps got closer to that, while humans only drifted.

In a 2007 Japanese study, a 5-year-old chimp competed against colleague students in a memory game: they showed numbers from 1 to 9 on different screen positions for a fraction of a second, and the players had to place them in order.

According to CBS, both humans and chimpanzees got the answer right 80% of the time when the numbers appeared for seven-tenths of a second. However, when the time lowered to four-tenths, the percentage went down to 40 for humans.

A more recent study published by the American Psychological Association compared the behavior of human and chimpanzee teenagers and concluded they are similar regarding impulses and decision-making.

The research was conducted on adult and teenage chimpanzees. Juvenile chimpanzees are between 8 and 15 years old. They quickly change hormone levels during this stage, just like humans.

They have behavioral traits in common as well. During this time, the chimpanzees start forming stronger bonds with peers, become more aggressive in their responses, and compete for social status, the study explains.

The researchers worked with 40 wild-born chimpanzees that participated voluntarily in exchange for treats. They played two games to evaluate their risk-taking and decision-making behaviors.

The scientists recorded the chimpanzees' reactions during the games: screaming, hitting the table, or moaning. They also collected saliva samples to analyze their hormone levels.

The first game was similar to a shell game but with two rewards. The researchers put two containers in front of the adults and teenage chimps and let them decide which to lift.

One of the containers always had peanuts, a food that chimpanzees moderately like. The other could have a banana, which they love, or a cucumber, a treat they do not enjoy much.

Compared to their adult counterparts, teenage chimps were more likely to risk it all and lift the mystery container instead, just like human teenagers.

The second game was similar to what psychologists call 'the marshmallow test.' The researchers offered the chimpanzees a banana slice but explained that they could receive three if they waited a minute.

In this case, adolescent and adult chimpanzees chose to wait at a similar rate. However, teenagers had more tantrums during the waiting period than adults.

According to the study, human teenagers tend to respond differently to this test. They choose the smaller reward far more often than adults do.

Lead researcher Alexandra Rosati told Science Daily that "prior research indicates chimpanzees are quite patient." They develop that capacity at a younger age than humans.

According to a 2017 paper collected by Big Think, studies have been methodologically biased against apes by them being tested through bars or deprived of social interactions. Our cognitive capacities might be even more similar.