Abstract

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that a learned taste aversion can be socially transmitted between conspecifics. Thirty-two albino rats were paired, each pair consisting of same-sex demonstrator and observer. In the experiment, observer rats interacted with conspecific demonstrators immediately after demonstrators consumed a novel tasting solution and were made ill by LiCl injection. Following their interaction with demonstrators, observers were tested for aversion to their ill demonstrator's solution. Analysis of the data showed that the observers as well as the demonstrators can develop aversion to the solution. These results were interpreted in terms of availability of communication between conspecifics in social animals like a rat.