Examining Empathy Through Consolation Behavior in Prairie Voles.
Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: ) by observing consolation behavior between non-stressed and stressed individuals. Their data from behavioral analyses and histochemistry support their hypothesis that consolation behavior in prairie voles shares similar behavioral characteristics and conserved biological mechanisms with human empathy. Prairie voles match anxiety and fear states as well as groom stressed familiar conspecifics to lessen their stress. An oxytocin receptor antagonist abolished this empathetic response. This research impacted the field of neuroscience by demonstrating human-like empathy in rodents, and thereby supporting the value of animal models to investigations of higher order human experiences. The paper is also a valuable and accessible resource to undergraduate neuroscience students-from introductory courses to advanced seminars. In the classroom, this research provides a foundational look at the expanding field of social neuroscience. Empathy in prairie voles raises thought-provoking discussion concerning emotions, social behavior, and human nature.
Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)
Author: Jenna M Wilson
Institution: University of St Andrews
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3199408016