RT Journal Article
T1 Effects of neonatal handling on playfulness by means of reversal of the desire to play in rats (Rattus Norvegicus)
A1 Aguilar-Heras, Raúl
A1 Caramés-Tejedor, José María
A1 Espinet-Rubio, Alfredo
K1 Animales - Conducta social
AB In the present study the authors sought to establish whether the range of effects of neonatal handling stimulation (H), that is, brief daily periods of infant isolation, could be extended to the domain of social motivation. With this aim, the authors studied the innate motivation to engage in rough-and-tumble play (R&T) in adolescent rats (Rattus norvegicus) by means of a reversal design, in which half of the rats were first housed in isolation (Days 1–3), and then in company (Days 4–6), while the other half followed the reverse sequence of housing conditions. Results showed in a clear-cut manner that H fuelled playfulness, as measured by pin and dorsal contact episodes, with (relative) independence of trait-based differences in fearful behavior between handled and nonhandled rats. Given that the different levels of the rat’s social brain are apparently sensitive to tactile stimulation in infancy, the authors propose that the vibrant R&T reported here could reflect an enduring alteration of genetically based, motivational systems underlying playfulness and, perhaps, positive social emotions like joy.
PB American Psychological Association
YR 2009
FD 2009
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/33499
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/33499
LA eng
NO Aguilar R, Caramés JM, Espinet A. Effects of neonatal handling on playfulness by means of reversal of the desire to play in rats (Rattus norvegicus). Journal of Comparative Psycholy. 2009 Nov;123(4):347-56. doi: 10.1037/a0016437
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 20 ene 2026