Search research articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 24, 2025

Acquisition of a High-precision Skilled Forelimb Reaching Task in Rats

Acquisition of a High-precision Skilled Forelimb Reaching Task in Rats

Published on: June 22, 2015

Copy rats: Learning by observation during a foraging task by rats.

Corrine Keshen¹, Mark Cole², Sarah Buck¹

¹Department of Psychology, Huron University College at the University of Western Ontario, 1349 Western Road, London, Ontario, N6G 1H3, Canada.

Learning & Behavior

|May 4, 2022

Summary

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A case of Shawaf-Traboulsi syndrome presenting with optic nerve head edema: imaging and genetic testing.

Ophthalmic genetics·2026

Same author

Lipoprotein(a) is associated with mitral annular calcification but not mitral regurgitation: A propensity-matched study of 66,292 pairs.

Journal of clinical lipidology·2026

Same author

Efficacy of Catheter Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension.

Pacing and clinical electrophysiology : PACE·2026

Same author

Clinical Features and Prognostic Factors in Pediatric Open Globe Injuries.

Journal of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus·2026

Same author

Empiric pacing in unexplained syncope and bifascicular block: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

International journal of cardiology. Heart & vasculature·2026

Same author

Mavacamten and Aficamten in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.

The American journal of cardiology·2026

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Rats learned foraging skills by observing others, demonstrating that social learning is effective even after a 24-hour delay. This social learning in rats highlights observational learning capabilities.

Area of Science:

Animal behavior
Cognitive neuroscience
Comparative psychology

Background:

Social learning is crucial for many species.
Understanding observational learning in rodents provides insights into complex cognitive processes.
Rats exhibit sophisticated foraging behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if rats can learn foraging strategies through observation.
To determine the impact of social relationships (cage mate vs. non-cage mate) on observational learning.
To assess the persistence of learned information over time.

Main Methods:

Two experiments were conducted using a laboratory foraging task with 12 baited and 12 sham-baited towers.
Demonstrator rats learned the task, then observer rats watched them forage.

Keywords:

Foraging Observation learning Rats

More Related Videos

Using Clicker Training and Social Observation to Teach Rats to Voluntarily Change Cages

Using Clicker Training and Social Observation to Teach Rats to Voluntarily Change Cages

Published on: October 25, 2018

The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents

The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents

Published on: July 8, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 24, 2025

Acquisition of a High-precision Skilled Forelimb Reaching Task in Rats

Acquisition of a High-precision Skilled Forelimb Reaching Task in Rats

Published on: June 22, 2015

Using Clicker Training and Social Observation to Teach Rats to Voluntarily Change Cages

Using Clicker Training and Social Observation to Teach Rats to Voluntarily Change Cages

Published on: October 25, 2018

The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents

The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents

Published on: July 8, 2015

Observers were tested after a delay (2 min or 24 h) to assess learning and memory.

Main Results:

Observer rats outperformed demonstrator rats in foraging efficiency during their initial trials.
Performance was similar whether observers watched a cage mate or a non-cage mate.
The observational learning effect persisted after a 24-hour delay.

Conclusions:

Rats effectively acquire foraging skills through observational learning.
Social learning in rats is robust and not significantly influenced by familiarity with the demonstrator.
The findings suggest that observational learning in rats is based on durable memory traces.