Empathy in Rats?

Mickeroo

Another supposedly unique human trait may have been found in the animal kingdom. A new study has found evidence(not conclusive proof) of empathy in rats.

In the new study, laboratory rats repeatedly freed their cage-mates from containers, even though there was no clear reward for doing so. The rodents didn't bother opening empty containers or those holding stuffed rats. To the researchers' surprise, when presented with both a rat-holding container and a one containing chocolate — the rats' favorite snack — the rodents not only chose to open both containers, but also to share the treats they liberated. Peggy Mason, a neuroscientist at the University of Chicago and lead author of the new study, says that the research shows that our empathy and impulse to help others are common across other mammals.

They do point out that it may or may not definitely be what is considered empathy though:

While it appears that the rats are empathetic, questions about the rodents' true motivations still remain.

"It is unclear whether the rats sympathize with the distress of their cage-mates, or simply feel better as they alleviate the perceived distress of others," Jaak Panksepp, a psychologist and neuroscientist at Washington State University, wrote in an article accompanying the study.

Mason says they don’t yet know if the free rats are acting to relieve their own distress, the distress of their cage-mates, or a combination of both, but this is definitely a topic for further research. She’s also looking to study if the rats would behave the same way if they weren’t cage-mates, and she would like to tease out the brain areas and genes involved in the behavior.

But, she says, “We now have this incredibly controlled, reproducible paradigm.” Other scientists should be able to use the model they developed to see if empathy and prosocial behavior are present in other animals, she said.

I wonder will this go anyway towards improving the reputation of the furry little critters in society as a whole

Galvasean

It will certainly be a blow against those who tow the line, "But where does your morality come from???" (you know the ones)

Adam Khor

I find it kind of irritating that nothing is ever "conclusive proof". Im thinking they are trying hard NOT to accept that rats have empathy or any kind of emotional complexity because it would make it very hard to keep using them as subjects for torture.

Same goes for all animals, really.

Mickeroo

Adam Khor wrote: »

I find it kind of irritating that nothing is ever "conclusive proof". Im thinking they are trying hard NOT to accept that rats have empathy or any kind of emotional complexity because it would make it very hard to keep using them as subjects for torture.

Same goes for all animals, really.

Yea you might be on to something there. The questions they ask about the rat's motivation could easily be asked about human empathy too.