Observational learning in rats: Interplay between demonstrator and observer behavior.
J Neurosci Methods
; 388: 109807, 2023 03 15.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36731637
BACKGROUND: Observational learning is a vital skill for survival. This form of learning has been seen in humans and certain non-human animals. However, the neural circuitry underlying this form of learning is still poorly understood. NEW METHOD: To better understand the factors underlying successful observation in rats, we employed a task where an observer must base its behavior on that of a demonstrator rat to identify a reward location. A comparison was made of behavior during a social and non-social observation condition. RESULTS: Observers oriented more, responded faster and omitted less responses in the social compared to the non-social condition. Observer performance was also linked to initial orientation, proximity, and the manner in which the demonstrator rat performed the task. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD: Previous work on observational learning encompassed multiple exposures to a single solution over days or weeks. The current method provides data from multiple individual novel observational learning trials, leading to much faster and more robust social learning. This method provides a clearly defined interval in which observation must take place. Allowing for precise tracking of both the observer and demonstrator behavior during the learning period. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights observer and demonstrator interplay in successful observational learning and provides a novel method for analyzing social behavior in rodents.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Comportamento Social
/
Aprendizagem
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Neurosci Methods
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de publicação:
Holanda