Rat pack: rodents feel peer-pressure to be helpful, says studyA rat trapped in a restrainer as a free rat opens the restrainer door to liberate the trapped ratWASHINGTON - Rats are less likely to assist a fellow rodent in need if other members of their group are being unhelpful, according to a study that sheds new light on the so-called "bystander effect." In the presence of these unhelpful bystanders, a rat that had previously been helpful in a one-on-one interaction now stood by idly and did not rescue the subject. On the other hand, when undrugged, helpful bystanders were placed at the scene, a rat that had been helpful one-on-one became even more keen on being a good Samaritan. A study led by Richard Philpot and published in American Psychologist last year in fact found that in the real world, bystanders rarely stood by. Mason said her paper built on Philpot's by showing that having helpful bystanders enhanced the desire to help, compared to when there was no audience watching.

Source: Bangkok Post July 08, 2020 20:37 UTC