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News UAE news Environment When in doubt THE NATIONAL National Editorial CONVERSATION Last Updated: Feb 22, 2011

Summary The character Stuart Smalley may be one of television' A group of scientists from the United assured humans. Mr Smalley's "Daily Affirmation" comedy skit pokes fun at States have revealed that macaques - a question being "good enough" or "smart enough"; it's satirical confidence bu type of Old World monkey - can doubt from a guy in silly sweaters. themselves. Just like powerful people. American television may make a mockery of self-doubt, but it turns out that Smalley does not suffer from uncertainty on his own. Share this article: A group of scientists from the United States have revealed that macaques - Old World monkey - can doubt themselves, too. Save this article Using a computer simulator researchers taught the primates to guess at the a pixelated screen. When the monkeys answered correctly they were rewar food. Wrong answers brought no food, and a delay in play. YOUR OPINION POLL RESULTS If the monkeys did not know the answer, however, they could choose to "pa Do you plan to visit Al Ain Paradise than guess incorrectly. This brought no food but no delay either, meaning le Park? before the next correct answer.

Maybe Researchers reason that the monkey's ability to question itself proves that t humans, "know when they don't know". This skill, says David Smith of the S Yes University of New York at Buffalo, is "one of the most important facets of hu reflective mind". No Self-doubt is not usually so rewarding. But monkeys everywhere should tak I have already been confidence can indeed be learnt. , who played the sweater-wear View results or Vote psychologist on TV, certainly knew this. Today, he's in the US Senate, whe monkey's gift of being able to admit ignorance can often be in short supply.

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