Heightened Play following Play Observation in the Absence of 22KHz Calls in Juvenile Rats
Frédéric Michon, E. J. Marijke Achterberg, Lena V. Kaufmann, Julian Packheiser, Sibi Bos, Kevin van Reenen, Valeria Gazzola, Christian Keysers
This study investigates positive emotional contagion in juvenile rats through play observation, finding increased play behavior after observing playful demonstrators without 22 kHz calls.
bioRxiv · Dec 31, 2025 · PreprintAnimal Behavior & Cognition