Final answer:
It is true that studies have shown rats can display compassionate behaviors, such as freeing trapped companions. These findings, alongside other psychological studies, demonstrate that cognitive learning and emotional responses are present in rats, contributing to our understanding of animal behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that a study was conducted in which rats showed compassion by freeing a trapped rat. This finding contributes to the scientific understanding that empathetic behavior and cognitive learning are not just traits of humans or primates but can also be found in other mammals like rats.
Cognitive Learning in Animals
Rats have been used in various psychological studies to understand behavior and learning. For example, maze experiments by researchers like H.C. Blodgett in the 1920s have demonstrated that rats can develop cognitive maps and engage in latent learning. Such studies indicate that even when not immediately rewarded, rats can learn the layout of a maze and use this knowledge effectively once a motivation, such as food, is introduced.
Behavioral Studies and Ethical Treatment of Animals
While rats are common subjects in animal research, ethical treatment remains a crucial aspect of any scientific study. Researchers must balance the pursuit of knowledge with the responsibility of ensuring the humane treatment of animals under study. Studies that involve potential distress or harm to animals, such as those examining the effects of early life experiences on mood disorders, are carefully regulated and scrutinized to minimize suffering.