Social experience drives empathetic, pro-social behavior in rats
Tuesday, January 14, 2014 - 14:00
in Psychology & Sociology
Empathy-driven behavior has been observed in rats who will free trapped companions from restrainers. This behavior also extends toward strangers, but requires prior, positive social interactions with the type (strain) of the unfamiliar individual, report scientists. The findings suggest that social experiences, not genetics or kin selection, determine whether an individual will help strangers out of empathy.