Open AccessEmpathic behavior according to the state of others in mice
Author(s) -
Ueno Hiroshi,
Suemitsu Shunsuke,
Murakami Shinji,
Kitamura Naoya,
Wani Kenta,
Okamoto Motoi,
Matsumoto Yosuke,
Aoki Shozo,
Ishihara Takeshi
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.986
Subject(s) - empathy , psychology , social relation , social animal , empathic concern , neuroscience , developmental psychology , social psychology , perspective taking , biology , ecology
Empathic behavior is essential for social activities in social animals. Therefore, lack of empathy is a feature of several neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms of empathy and which animals possess it remain unclear. In this study, we investigated whether mice show empathic behavior. Methods We tested mice for empathy‐like behaviors toward conspecifics who were distressed. We investigated behavioral changes in cage‐mate or stranger mice. Results When the conspecific mice were in a painful state, subject mice showed preferential approach behavior toward them, presumably recognizing the state. Both visual information and olfactory information are indispensable for this empathic behavior. Conclusions These results suggest that the mouse recognizes the emotional state of the conspecific and engages in social interaction. The results of this study are useful for the elucidation of the causal mechanisms involved in neuropsychiatric disorders and may contribute in the development of novel treatment targets.