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The Secret of the 'Behavioral Pool': What Calhoun's Mouse Experiments Foretell About the Future of Humankind
In the 1960s, biologist John B. Calhoun conducted a series of remarkable experiments on rats that revealed the breakdown of social behavior that occurs when animals are overcrowded. His research not only has a significant impact on animal behavior, but is also regarded as an important reference for predicting the potential collapse of human society in the future. These experiments awaken us to deep thinking about today's social structure and human behavior.
The term "behavioral sink" describes a phenomenon in which behavior collapses under excessive population density. Calhoun believes this could be a hidden concern for humanity's future.
Overview of Calhoun's Mouse Experiments
Calhoun's experiments began in 1947, and he chose to conduct these studies on farmland in Maryland. The core of the experiment is to establish a so-called "rat utopia", which provides mice with unlimited food and water in a small environment, thereby promoting unrestricted reproduction. In one experiment, he placed 32 to 56 mice in a 10-by-14-foot cage, a setup that allowed the mice to interact closely and frequently.
Under ideal conditions, rat populations grew dramatically, but as population density increased, behavioral problems began to develop. Calhoun observed that many female mice were unable to successfully become pregnant or give birth, and some were even unable to perform their maternal duties after giving birth. Male rats, on the other hand, exhibit a variety of abnormal behaviors, including sexual deviation, cannibalism, and hyperactivity or pathological withdrawal.
"With the breakdown of the social structure, mortality among young mice in the population reached as high as 96% in some experimental groups."
The formation of behavioral pools
There is a specific behavioral collapse phenomenon in Calhoun's research called the "behavioral sink." This phenomenon occurs during spontaneous crowding behavior between mice. Due to hunger or the need to eat, rats gather in the same place, causing overcrowding in one area and sparse population in other areas. Over time, this crowded behavior causes mice to lose the ability to live independently and eventually lead to their extinction.
Calhoun then conducted another series of experiments, expanding the scope to mice, which in 1968 became known as the "death-inhibiting environment." In this experiment, he provided mice with more space and resources to support higher breeding densities. However, when the number of mice reached 2,200, they began to refuse to mate and the mothers abandoned their pups. These abnormal behaviors eventually led to the extinction of the group.
"The random crowding behavior masks the fact that the mice have lost their social skills."
Revelation to Humanity
Calhoun's findings were widely interpreted as a warning about the future of human society. He uses the breakdown of animal behavior as a metaphor for potential challenges facing humanity, especially the problems facing human social structures during urbanization. Although technological progress has brought convenience to life, it has also caused humans to gradually become disconnected in social interactions.
Experiments conducted by psychologist Jonathan Freedman show that although humans do not necessarily exhibit negative behaviors in high-density environments, this does not mean that there will be no potential social problems. As social structures weaken, people’s mental health and social connections may be challenged.
ConclusionWhile the debate surrounding Calhoun’s research remains controversial, his predictions of a potential deterioration in social behavior have become more compelling as cities grow and globalize. Against this backdrop, the importance of revitalizing social connections and enhancing human interactions is self-evident. Can we understand the true meaning of adapting to future challenges of mankind from Calhoun's story?
