Cooperative Problem Solving by Albino Rats: A Re-Evaluation

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Abstract
Previous work demonstrated that rats behave cooperatively when placed in pairs in an apparatus that requires the simultaneous emission of topographically incompatible responses to escape shock and obtain food. Not only does one rat prevent occurrence of shock while the second obtains food but they shift positions (mutual shifts) frequently enough to allow an equitable division of reinforcers. The present study demonstrated that both the frequency and type of mutual shifting behavior was a function of length of the chamber. Increasing the length so physical contact between pairs of subjects was impossible completely eliminated shifting behavior. These results suggested that the mutual shifting behavior was under the control of a discriminated avoidance procedure in which physical contact between animals was essential for the maintenance of the cooperative-like behavior.

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