Study On Prairie Voles Sheds Light On Animal Empathy
- 8 years ago
A recent study has found that prairie voles can be empathetic in terms of trying to provide comfort to a known member in distress. Oxytocin, which is known as a love hormone, has been attributed as a possible factor in this behavior.
Animals may be more capable of empathy than previously thought.
This emotion is considered to be on a higher-level order because it requires a recognition of pain in others.
Now, scientists have added the prairie vole to the list which already includes more mentally advanced animals like dogs and elephants.
In the experiment, pairs of voles who knew each other were separated, and one received mild shocks.
When they were reunited, the non-stressed members
Animals may be more capable of empathy than previously thought.
This emotion is considered to be on a higher-level order because it requires a recognition of pain in others.
Now, scientists have added the prairie vole to the list which already includes more mentally advanced animals like dogs and elephants.
In the experiment, pairs of voles who knew each other were separated, and one received mild shocks.
When they were reunited, the non-stressed members