For years, gambling opponents the activity as an important source of social and family fight. A new study, however, that gambling just might be something that is a natural instinct of animals.

A University of Kentucky research that was written by Psychology professor Thomas Zentall indicates that pigeons the same instincts to gamble that people possess. the results of the study were published this week in the Royal Society.

Professor Zentall took pigeons and allowed them to pick up on different lights with the reward is food pellets.On the left side, the pigeons pecking and red or green light. after a short wait, the red light ten food pellets free. The green light should be pretty zero pellets.

On the right side, the same study has been carried out but this time the lights were blue and yellow. the two colors on the right, both released three grains for each pick up. The opportunities on the left side were set at 20%.The result was that the pigeons chose to pick up the left over the right, in the hope for the big payoff of ten pellets instead of the guaranteed three every time.

"There is a basic behavioral, biological process that is likely to affect many different species, and it is not necessary the thrill of a casino," said Zentall."the misunderstanding of the chance of winning, social reinforcement or the publicity of the winners. these factors can help, but that's not the. look at the pigeons."

It is not yet known how political groups the pigeons experiment to prove that gambling is good or bad for society is will run. what Zentall and his team may have proven, however, is that gambling is an extinct that are, not just in humans, but also in other species can be found as well.