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Related Experiment Video

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Observational Fear as a Model of Affective Empathy in Mice
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Examining Empathy Through Consolation Behavior in Prairie Voles.

Jenna M Wilson1

  • 1School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK KY16 9JP.

Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education : JUNE : a Publication of FUN, Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience
|September 23, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Prairie voles exhibit empathy by mirroring distress and grooming stressed individuals, demonstrating conserved mechanisms with human empathy. This research highlights rodents as valuable models for studying complex social behaviors.

Keywords:
Microtus ochrogasterMicrotus pennsylvanicusPavlovian fear conditioningallogroomingconsolation behaviorempathyimmunohistochemistryoxytocin receptor antagonistsocial neuroscience

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Animal Behavior
  • Social Neuroscience

Background:

  • Empathy, a complex affective and cognitive process, is well-documented in humans but less explored in other species.
  • Understanding empathy in non-human animals offers insights into its evolutionary roots and biological underpinnings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and mechanisms of empathy in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus).
  • To compare rodent empathy with human empathy through behavioral and biological analyses.

Main Methods:

  • Observational studies of consolation behavior between stressed and non-stressed voles.
  • Behavioral analyses and histochemistry to examine physiological responses.
  • Pharmacological intervention using an oxytocin receptor antagonist.

Main Results:

  • Prairie voles displayed consolation behavior, mirroring anxiety and fear states in stressed conspecifics.
  • Grooming behavior in prairie voles reduced stress levels in familiar individuals.
  • An oxytocin receptor antagonist significantly inhibited the observed empathetic response.

Conclusions:

  • Consolation behavior in prairie voles shares behavioral and conserved biological mechanisms with human empathy.
  • Rodent models, like prairie voles, are valuable for studying higher-order human experiences such as empathy.
  • This research provides a foundation for understanding the neurobiology of social behavior and emotions.