Study of Altruism in Rats in an Appetitive Situation

Abstract

Six pairs of albino rats were tested in a 2-compartment box for altruistic behavior involving feeding a hungry partner. Three pairs of Ss could choose between two bars, one which fed the responder and another which fed the deprived partner, and 3 pairs could choose between one bar which fed the responder and another which fed both responder and partner. In both phases of the experiment, Ss had extensive visual contact and had experience as both responder and deprived partner. No altruistic behavior resulted in either phase, supporting previous studies involving appetitive situations.