Science. 1972 Dec 15;178(4066):1220-1. doi: 10.1126/science.178.4066.1220.
Learning by rats was facilitated when response-relevant cues were provided by other rats; learning increased as a function of number of cues provided. These results suggest that rats can learn by imitation. Learning by rats that observed conspecifics not emitting response-relevant cues was retarded compared to learning by rats that did not observe conspecifics. This indicates that a conspecific's presence can also inhibit learning, a result consistent with social facilitation theory.
当其他老鼠提供与反应相关的线索时，老鼠的学习能力会得到提高；提供的线索越多，学习效果越好。这些结果表明，老鼠可以通过模仿来学习。与没有观察到同种动物发出与反应相关线索的老鼠相比，观察到同种动物不发出与反应相关线索的老鼠的学习能力会受到阻碍。这表明同种动物的存在也可以抑制学习，这一结果与社会促进理论一致。
