Conformity-like behaviour in mice observing the freezing of other mice: a model of empathy
Abstract Background Empathy refers to the ability to recognise and share emotions with others. Several research groups have recognised observational fear in mice as a useful behavioural model for assessing their ability to empathise. However, in these observation systems, it remains unclear whether...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12868-020-00566-4 |
| _version_ | 1811292361803694080 |
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| author | Hiroshi Ueno Shunsuke Suemitsu Shinji Murakami Naoya Kitamura Kenta Wani Yu Takahashi Yosuke Matsumoto Motoi Okamoto Takeshi Ishihara |
| author_facet | Hiroshi Ueno Shunsuke Suemitsu Shinji Murakami Naoya Kitamura Kenta Wani Yu Takahashi Yosuke Matsumoto Motoi Okamoto Takeshi Ishihara |
| author_sort | Hiroshi Ueno |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Empathy refers to the ability to recognise and share emotions with others. Several research groups have recognised observational fear in mice as a useful behavioural model for assessing their ability to empathise. However, in these observation systems, it remains unclear whether the observer mouse truly recognises the movements of, and empathises with, the demonstrator mouse. We examined changes in the behaviour of an observer mouse when a demonstrator mouse was anaesthetised, when the demonstrator’s activity was increased, and when the interval of electrical stimulation was altered. If mice exhibit an ability to empathise, then the observer should display empathic behaviour when the demonstrator experiences pain or discomfort under any circumstances. Results Relative to low-frequency stimulation, frequent electrical stimulation reduced immobility time among observer mice. Moreover, when demonstrators exhibited excessive activity, the activity of the observers significantly increased. In addition, the proportion of immobility time among observer mice significantly increased when demonstrator mice exhibited fear learning and excessive immobility. Conclusion Although our results indicate that observer mice change their behaviour based on the movements of demonstrator mice, increases in immobility time may reflect conformity-like behaviour rather than emotional empathy. Thus, not only visual but also auditory and odour information additionally influenced the conformity-like behaviour shown by observer mice. Thus, our findings suggest that methods other than the fear observation system should be used to investigate rodent empathy-like behaviour. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T04:44:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-739a98e9cca64bf89944ffb63bcc9ac3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2202 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T04:44:18Z |
| publishDate | 2020-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-739a98e9cca64bf89944ffb63bcc9ac32022-12-22T03:01:53ZengBMCBMC Neuroscience1471-22022020-05-0121111610.1186/s12868-020-00566-4Conformity-like behaviour in mice observing the freezing of other mice: a model of empathyHiroshi Ueno0Shunsuke Suemitsu1Shinji Murakami2Naoya Kitamura3Kenta Wani4Yu Takahashi5Yosuke Matsumoto6Motoi Okamoto7Takeshi Ishihara8Department of Medical Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical WelfareDepartment of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical SchoolDepartment of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical SchoolDepartment of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical SchoolDepartment of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical SchoolDepartment of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical SchoolDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityDepartment of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical SchoolAbstract Background Empathy refers to the ability to recognise and share emotions with others. Several research groups have recognised observational fear in mice as a useful behavioural model for assessing their ability to empathise. However, in these observation systems, it remains unclear whether the observer mouse truly recognises the movements of, and empathises with, the demonstrator mouse. We examined changes in the behaviour of an observer mouse when a demonstrator mouse was anaesthetised, when the demonstrator’s activity was increased, and when the interval of electrical stimulation was altered. If mice exhibit an ability to empathise, then the observer should display empathic behaviour when the demonstrator experiences pain or discomfort under any circumstances. Results Relative to low-frequency stimulation, frequent electrical stimulation reduced immobility time among observer mice. Moreover, when demonstrators exhibited excessive activity, the activity of the observers significantly increased. In addition, the proportion of immobility time among observer mice significantly increased when demonstrator mice exhibited fear learning and excessive immobility. Conclusion Although our results indicate that observer mice change their behaviour based on the movements of demonstrator mice, increases in immobility time may reflect conformity-like behaviour rather than emotional empathy. Thus, not only visual but also auditory and odour information additionally influenced the conformity-like behaviour shown by observer mice. Thus, our findings suggest that methods other than the fear observation system should be used to investigate rodent empathy-like behaviour.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12868-020-00566-4BehaviourConformityEmotional contagionEmpathyMouseImitation |
| spellingShingle | Hiroshi Ueno Shunsuke Suemitsu Shinji Murakami Naoya Kitamura Kenta Wani Yu Takahashi Yosuke Matsumoto Motoi Okamoto Takeshi Ishihara Conformity-like behaviour in mice observing the freezing of other mice: a model of empathy BMC Neuroscience Behaviour Conformity Emotional contagion Empathy Mouse Imitation |
| title | Conformity-like behaviour in mice observing the freezing of other mice: a model of empathy |
| title_full | Conformity-like behaviour in mice observing the freezing of other mice: a model of empathy |
| title_fullStr | Conformity-like behaviour in mice observing the freezing of other mice: a model of empathy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Conformity-like behaviour in mice observing the freezing of other mice: a model of empathy |
| title_short | Conformity-like behaviour in mice observing the freezing of other mice: a model of empathy |
| title_sort | conformity like behaviour in mice observing the freezing of other mice a model of empathy |
| topic | Behaviour Conformity Emotional contagion Empathy Mouse Imitation |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12868-020-00566-4 |
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