Discovering Rat Joy
Researchers found that rats trained to drive tiny cars not only learned the skill but also appeared to genuinely enjoy the experience, displaying behaviors indicative of excitement and anticipation.
This enjoyment was observed through actions like jumping into the car and revving the engine, suggesting the rodents experienced something akin to joy.
The Science Behind Anticipation and Positive Reinforcement
The study, led by Kelly Lambert, aimed to explore how anticipation of positive events affects behavior and neural functions, with rats showing improved cognitive abilities and optimism when trained to wait for rewards.
Interestingly, some rats chose to drive to a reward over a more direct walking path, indicating they found joy in both the journey and the destination, challenging the notion of seeking instant gratification.