John Calhoun: How the mouse has destroyed Paradise Bashny.Net

American scientist-ethologist John Calhoun conducted a series of amazing experiments in the 60-70-ies of the twentieth century. As an experimental D. Calhoun always chose rodents, although the ultimate goal of the research was always a prediction for the future of human society. As a result of numerous experiments on colonies of rodents Calhoun has formulated a new term, "behavioral sink" (behavioral sink), indicating the transition to destructive and deviant behavior in conditions of overpopulation and overcrowding. His research Calhoun acquired some fame in the 60-ies, as many people in Western countries experiencing post-war baby boom, began to think about how overpopulation will affect public institutions and each person in particular.



John Calhoun

His most famous experiment made us think about the future of a whole generation, the scientist has carried out in 1972 in conjunction with the National Institute of mental health (NIMH). The purpose of the experiment was analysis of the influence of population density on behavioral patterns of rodents.

Calhoun built a Paradise for mice in the laboratory. Was created by a tank the size of two by two meters and a half meter height, where Guinea could not get out. Inside the tank to maintain a constant comfortable temperature for mice (+20 °C), there were an abundance of food and water, create numerous nests for the females. Each week, the tank is cleaned and maintained in a constant state of cleanliness, had taken all the necessary security measures: eliminates the appearance of predators in the tank or the occurrence of massive infections. The experimental mice were under constant supervision of veterinarians, their health status is constantly monitored. The system of providing food and water was so thought out that 9500 mice could eat at the same time without experiencing any discomfort, and 6144 mice to consume water, also without any problems. Space for mice was more than enough, the first problem of lack of shelter could only arise when the population of more than 3840 individuals. However, this number of mice had not been in the tank, the maximum size of the population at 2200 mice.



The experiment started with the premise inside of the tank four pairs of healthy mice, which took quite a bit of time to settle, to realize what a mouse tale they were, and begin to rapidly multiply. The period of development Calhoun called the phase, And, however, since the birth of the first young began the second stage of B. This is the stage of exponential growth of population in the tank under ideal conditions, the number of mice doubled every 55 days. Starting with the 315 days of the experiment the rate of population growth has slowed considerably, now the number has doubled every 145 days, which marked the entry into the third phase C. At this point in the tank were about 600 mice, formed a hierarchy, and a social life. Become physically less space than before.

There was a category of "excluded", who were driven into the center of the tank, they often become victims of aggression. To distinguish a group of "outcasts" could be bitten by the tail, tear the hair and traces of blood on the body. Les Miserables consisted primarily of young individuals, who did not find for itself the role of the social hierarchy in the mouse. The problem of lack of appropriate social roles was caused by the fact that under ideal conditions the tank mice lived long aging mice do not make room for the young rodents. So often aggression was aimed at a new generation of individuals born in the tank. After the expulsion of the males were broken psychologically, they showed less aggression, unwilling to defend their pregnant females and to perform any social role. Although they attacked periodically or on other individuals of the society "Les Miserables", or on any other mouse.

Female, preparing for birth, became more and more nervous, as a result of the growth of passivity among males, they become less vulnerable to random attacks. In the end, the female began to show aggression, often fighting to protect the offspring. However, paradoxically, the aggression was not directed only at others, not less aggressive show towards their children. Often females killed their young and moved to the top slot, becomes aggressive and hermits refused to reproduction. As a result, the birth rate has dropped substantially, and the mortality rate of young animals reached significant levels.

The average age of mice in the last stage of existence of the mouse Paradise was 776 days, 200 days exceeds the upper limit of childbearing age

Soon the last stage of the existence of the mouse Paradise — D phase or the phase of death, as its called John Calhoun. The symbol of this stage was the emergence of a new category of mice, dubbed "beautiful". To them is attributed the males, showing uncharacteristic for the kind of behavior, refuse to fight and fight for females and territory, not having any desire to mate, tend to be passive lifestyle. "Beautiful" just ate, drank, slept, and cleaned the skins, avoiding conflicts and the implementation of any social functions. This name they received because unlike most other inhabitants of the tank, their body had no signs of severe battle scars and torn wool, their narcissism, and narcissism have become legendary. Also the researcher was struck by the lack of desire in "beautiful" to mate and breed, among the last wave of births in the tank "beautiful" and female lone who refuse to breed and escaping to the top slot of the tank, become the majority.

The average age of mice in the last stage of existence of the mouse Paradise was 776 days, 200 days exceeds the upper limit of childbearing age. The mortality rate of young was 100%, the number of pregnancies was small, and soon was 0. Endangered mouse practiced homosexuality, deviant and inexplicable aggressive behavior in conditions of excess of vital resources. Cannibalism flourished while plentiful food, females refused to educate the young and killed them. The mice rapidly died out in 1780 on the day after the start of the experiment died last occupant "mouse Paradise."

Anticipating such a catastrophe, D. Calhoun using colleagues Dr. H. Marden held a series of experiments at the third stage of death phase. From the tank were removed a few small groups of mice and relocated in equally ideal conditions, but also in terms of minimum population and unlimited space. No overcrowding and intraspecific aggression. In fact, "beautiful" and female lone was recreated the conditions under which the first 4 pairs of mice in the tank exponentially multiplied and created a social structure. But to the surprise of scientists, "beautiful" and female lone their behavior has not changed, refused to mate, to procreate and to fulfill social functions associated with reproduction. In the end, no new pregnancies, and the mouse died of old age. These same results were noted in all groups of displaced. In the end, all the experimental mice died, while under ideal conditions.



John Calhoun created the results of the experiment the theory of the two deaths."The first death is the death of the spirit. When newborn individuals did not find a place in the social hierarchy of the "mouse Paradise", there has been a lack of social roles in ideal conditions with unlimited resources, any open confrontation between adults and young rodents, increased levels of unwarranted aggression. Growing population, increasing crowding, increasing levels of physical contact, all this, according to Calhoun, led to the emergence of individuals capable of only simple behavior. In an ideal world, the security, the abundance of food and water, lack of predators, most individuals only ate, drank, slept, looked after him. Mouse — a simple animal, for it is the most complex behavioral patterns is the process of courting the female, reproduction and care of offspring, protecting territory and young, participation in hierarchical social groups. From the foregoing psychologically broken mouse refused. Calhoun calls this abandonment complex behavioral patterns "first death" or "death spirit". After the occurrence of the first death, physical death ("second death" in the terminology of Calhoun) is inevitable and is a matter of short time. In the "first death" a significant part of the population of the whole colony is doomed to extinction, even in conditions of "Paradise".

Refusal to accept numerous calls an escape from stress, from life full of struggle and overcoming — a "first death"in the terminology of John Calhoun, or death of the spirit, which is inevitably comes the second death, this time the body

Once Calhoun was asked about the reasons for the emergence of a group of rodents "beautiful". Calhoun drew a direct analogy with the man, explaining that a key feature of the person, his natural destiny is to live in conditions of pressure, tension and stress. Mouse, give up the fight, choosing the unbearable lightness of being turned into an autistic "handsome" capable of only the most primitive functions of eating and sleeping. With all complex and challenging "handsome" and refused, in principle, become not capable of such a powerful and complex behavior. Calhoun draws Parallels with many modern men, capable of only the most routine, everyday actions to maintain physiological life, but the spirit was dead already. Resulting in a loss of creativity, the ability to overcome and, most importantly, to be under pressure. Refusal to accept numerous calls an escape from stress, from life full of struggle and overcoming — a "first death" in the terminology of John Calhoun, or death of the spirit, which is inevitably comes the second death, this time of the body.

Perhaps you have a question, why the experiment D. Calhoun called "universe-25"? It was the twenty-fifth attempt of the scientist to create a Paradise for mice, and all the previous ended with the death of all rodents... posted

 

P. S. And remember, only by changing their consumption — together we change the world! ©

Source: www.factroom.ru/science/universe-25?utm_source=post&utm_campaign=relposts