The experimental social behavior of animals. II. The effect of early isolation of white rats on their competition in swimming
Abstract
Pairs of rats, one reared in isolation and the other in a group, were forced to swim under water and against a current to reach an exit through which only one could gain immediate escape. The rat which failed to reach the exit first was trapped under water for a short period. Both rats of a pair, as determined by preliminary tests, had the same swimming speed. Winners of the competition were as frequently from the solitary as from the social group, hence previous social life was not a determiner of success. Age, weight, sex, and litter membership were not determiners of success. Most animals, regardless of group, increased their speed of swimming during competitive trials. This was true of both victors and losers.