Abstract
Following interaction with a “demonstrator” rat, an “observer” rat prefers that diet eaten by its demonstrator prior to their interaction (Galef & Wigmore, 1983). The present series of studies demonstrates that such demonstrator influence on observer diet preference can be found in: (1) first-generation laboratory bred wild rats as well as domesticated rats, (2) food-deprived as well as nondeprived observers, (3) unfamiliar as well as familiar demonstrator-observer pairs, (4) both 21-day-old and adult observers, and (5) rats selecting fluids as well as solids for ingestion. These data indicate that the social transmission of information concerning distant diets is a general and robust phenomenon, observable under a wide variety of experimental conditions.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barnett, S. A. (1958). Experiments on “neophobia” in wild and laboratory rats.British Journal of Psychology,49, 195–201.
Galef, B. G., Jr. (1970). Aggression and timidity: Responses to novelty in feral Norway rats.Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology,70, 370–381.
Galef, B. G., Jr. (1977a). Mechanisms for the social transmission of food preferences from adult to weanling rats. In L. M. Barker, M. R. Best, & M. Domjan (Eds.),Learning mechanisms in food selection. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press.
Galef, B. G., Jr. (1977b) Social transmission of food preferences: An adaptation for weaning in rats.Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology,91, 1136–1140.
Galef, B. G., Jr. (1978). Differences in affiliative behavior of weanling rats selecting eating and drinking sites.Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology,92, 431–437.
Galef, B. G., Jr. (1982). Studies of social learning in Norway rats: A brief review.Developmental Psychobiology,15, 279–295.
Galef, B. G., Jr. (1983). Utilization by Norway rats (R. norvegicus) of multiple messages concerning distant diets.Journal of Comparative Psychology,97, 364–371.
Galef, B. G., Jr, &Wigmore, S. W. (1983). Transfer of information concerning distant foods A laboratory investigation of the ‘information-centre’ hypothesis.Animal Behaviour,31, 748–758
Galef, B. G., Jr,Wigmore, S. W., &Kennett, D. J. (1983) A failure to find socially mediated taste aversion learning in Norway rats (R norvegicus).Journal of Comparative Psychology,97, 358–363.
Posadas-Andrews, A., &Roper, T. J. (1983). Social transmission of food preferences in adult rats.Animal Behaviour,31, 265–271
Strupp, B. J. (1982). Malnutrition and animal models of cognitive development.Dissertation Abstracts International,42, 4965-B. (University Microfilm No.821896).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Grant AP-307 and a McMaster University Research Board grant to B.G.G., Jr.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Galef, B.G., Kennett, D.J. & Wigmore, S.W. Transfer of information concerning distant foods in rats: A robust phenomenon. Animal Learning & Behavior 12, 292–296 (1984). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03199970
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03199970