MALI: You might not think that a bird and a gambler would have much in common.
But scientists have found that human gamblers and pigeons are 35 per cent more likely to take greater risks when there is a chance of a big win.
They discovered that both species use past experiences to guide future gambling decisions.
Researchers from the University of Warwick and the University of Alberta, Canada, said their study shows the important role that memories of previous biggest wins and losses play when we make risky gambling decisions.
‘Birds are distantly related to humans, yet we still share the same basic psychology that drives risk-taking,’ said Dr Elliot Ludvig, from the University of Warwick’s Department of Psychology.
