Author(s)

Shayna A. Wrighten, Chelsea R. Hall

Department of Biology, Francis Marion University, Florence, SC, USA.

Evidence for altruistic behaviors in rats has been continually building over many years, with a large surge in the past 10 years. Many researchers have posited that rats have the cognitive capabilities to engage in these altruistic behaviors that were at one time only attributed to species that are more complex. The results of many of the studies on altruistic behaviors in rats show parallels with non-human primate studies suggesting that what has been observed in rats is indeed altruism as it has been defined in primates. Research focused on rat altruism has provided evidence that these behaviors are influenced by familiarity, similar to findings among primates. Other evidence for altruistic behavior in rats is apparent in their ability to apply a cost-benefit analysis when an opportunity to provide help is presented. There is also evidence that rats rely on previous experiences and predictions of future behaviors of others to make judgments when engaging in altruistic behaviors. Studies have also shown that rats exhibit these altruistic behaviors without the presence of a tangible reward, a primary component in the definition of altruism. The findings presented and the parallels with non-human primate studies provide good evidence that rats are capable of engaging in altruistic behaviors, and that rats may be good candidates for an alternative animal model for further studying altruism. Having rats as a valid model for the study of altruism opens the door to study facets of this behavior that otherwise would not be able to be studied. Because of the important contribution of altruism to social interactions, better understanding of this behavior will hopefully aid in positively influencing social societies such as those lived in by humans and other primates.

Rodent Altruism, Pro-Social Behavior, Empathy, Helping Behavior, Rats

Wrighten, S. and Hall, C. (2016) Support for Altruistic Behavior in Rats. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 4, 93-102. doi: 10.4236/jss.2016.412009.