Metacognition and Empathy in Rattus Norvegicus

[tcpip]

Today is Riff-Raff's second birthday, which is roughly sixty in human years. Yes, he is named with reference to the classic AC/DC song. In honour of said rodent, a member of one of the most intelligent species on the planet, a position which is hotly debated of course, but certainly within the top dozen, which is pretty impressive for their size (we may also include chimpanzees, orangutans, pigs, bottlenose dolphins, the viened octopus elephants, crows, dogs, and squirrels). Good collection of videos available on Ranker, including some surprises.

However over the years there is research evidence a couple of abilities of the rattus norvegicus mind which are really quite extraordinary, and which concur with my personal observations (without any rigour, of course). The first is a study from 2007 which shows that said species has metacognition; they think about thinking and, as a result of this they know what they do not know, and will not take unncessary risks as a result. The method used (duration-discrimination) to test this was really quite clever; reported on both popular science media and the academic journal article. Rats are the only non-primate species that have been shown to have this ability thus far.

Over the past several years there has been a number of articles relating to altruistic and empathic behaviour in rats. A most recent test however showed that the rat was prepared to rescue a trapped colleague, even forgoing chocolate rewards (a big deal for rats). As usual the journal article is drier, but with greater detail, although Wired does show that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Comments

[serehfa]

Happy Birthday to Riff Raff, and Happy Festival of Choice to yourselves.

[tcpip]

Thank you, thank you... and thank you!

[ratfan.livejournal.com]

Birthday wishes to Riff Raff from my horde! Re altruism in rats; I've read this article previously and agree that it's not proven what the motive is; I think they would've learned something more if they'd given the rats the chance to leave the room, as it were! I know they can be nice to cagemates, i.e. witness an elderly rat using someone else as a pillow and that rat seeming quite content to be at his disposal. But share, my guys absolutely don't! My best, albeit rather gruesome example, is when Nikita caught a mouse (when I found him, the evidence was almost gone) and was dashing about, desperate to stop his cell-mates from snatching his treat.

I'd also like to know if these were rats known to the rat freeing him or her, because in my experience any sort of altruism or kindness is only within their established group (mischief). They're indifferent or hostile to outsiders.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Actually the rats in the empathy test were relative strangers: "Rats were housed in pairs for 2 weeks before the start of testing."

Whilst I have seen a number of examples of out-of-group hostility, I have also seen a number of out-of-group acceptance as well. The former, most prominently, seems to be about male rats establishing their respective position in mischief leadership. I have had two cases where I've had to keep the boys separate from each other as they simply weren't getting along. The females of the species seem to mix it up pretty well.

[niamh-sage.livejournal.com]

Hurrah for rats! And happy birthday to your Riff-Raff :)

[music-girl.livejournal.com]

Hello,
Thank you for adding me to you're journal . Second happy birthday to Riff Raff. (:
-Kris/Sissy