What the Rat City Experiments Mean for Society
In a Utopia where all our needs are met, what could possibly go wrong?
Introduction
From the 1940s, John Calhoun conducted a series of experiments on rodents to study behaviour during overcrowding. He created enclosed spaces called "rat utopias" for rats to live in with no predators and minimal exposure to disease. These spaces were designed to cater to every need of the rodents. One of the most famous experiments in psychology and sociology, Calhoun's Mouse Utopia experiments in the 1960s and 1970s, aimed to investigate overpopulation in rodent communities and find a rat utopia. Despite having unlimited access to food and water, personal space was essential to prevent societal collapse, as a series of rodent experiments showed. This article will explore Calhoun's mouse utopia experiments, while also discussing Durkeim's theories, proximics alone, space, and density.
Calhoun’s Mouse and Rat experiments
Calhoun's experiments gripped a society consumed by fears of overpopulation and his findings resonated with concerns around population growth. In his ultimate research experiment, Universe 25, a population of mice grew within a limited space, leading to a mouse paradise that eventually turned into a dystopia due to overcrowding.
At first, the mive lived out peaceful days, but after months of confined space and a rising population, this began to change. Numerous female rats experienced difficulties in carrying pregnancies to full term or surviving the delivery of their litters. A significant number of those who successfully gave birth refuted their young’s needs. Among the male rats, their behavioural disruptions encompassed sexual deviation, cannibalism, frenetic overactivity, and a pathological withdrawal. These individuals would only emerge to eat, drink, and move about when the rest of the community was asleep. The disruption extended to the social organization of the animals.
The root cause of these disturbances became strikingly evident in the initial series of three experiments, wherein we observed the emergence of what was termed a 'behavioural sink.' The rats would congregate in large numbers within one of the four interconnected pens that housed the colony. During feeding periods, up to 60 out of 80 rats in each experimental population would gather in a single pen. Individual rats seldom ate alone, leading to a proliferation of population density within the pen designated for feeding, while the others remained sparsely populated. In the experiments in which the behavioural sink developed, infant mortality ran as high as 96 percent among the most disoriented groups in the population.
Two distinct types of males emerged, each having withdrawn completely from the struggle for dominance. However, they differed greatly in terms of their activity levels. The first group exhibited absolute passivity and moved through the community like sleepwalkers. They paid no attention to other rats, irrespective of gender, and likewise went unnoticed by their peers. Even during the females' estrus period, these passive individuals made no attempts to approach them. Rarely did other males engage in aggression or attempt to interact with them. Superficially, these passive animals would appear to be the healthiest and most appealing members of the community, boasting plumpness and a sleek coat devoid of the typical marks and bald patches caused by male combat. However, they were essentially walking in a coma-like state.
The other category of males were a the opposite end of the spectrum from the passive males. They exhibited a frenzied and hyperactive behavior within the community. Their relentless energy seemed boundless as they engaged in various activities. These highly active males sought dominance and engaged in frequent bouts of play and aggression with other usually male rats. They actively pursued females during their estrus, often initiating advances towards them. These males rarely experienced attacks or resistance from other males due to their vigorous and dominant nature. Although their appearance may not have been as pristine as the passive males, with occasional signs of physical wear from their active engagement, their social orientation remained intact."
The question most of the public had when confronted with this observation was, how does this apply to humans in confined, over-crowded environments? How might this impact life as a human in a modern city?
Durkheim on mental health in over-crowded environments
Emile Durkheim's exploration of suicide forms a compelling argument that the social organization and religion inherent in modern industrial societies play a substantial role in mental health. Delving into the intricacies of different forms of suicide, Durkheim posits that our understanding of mental health cannot be disentangled from the societal structures we inhabit. He concludes that these social constructs act as determinants of mental health, a perspective that remains influential in the field of sociology to this day.
Proximics and broader considerations
Proximics, or the study of space and distance in communication and behaviour, is an area of interest in sociology. The conceptual model presented in the book "Social Network Analysis" suggests that our social networks hold a powerful influence over our health, mental health, and health behaviours. It concludes that the analysis of these networks can provide profound insights into individual and community health, shifting the traditional views on the impact of social connections. It is interesting to observe that religious people often outlive non-religious ones, due to the inherent nature of a community, a tight circle for people to take care of one another and minimize the number of external threats together.
The field of mental health presents an array of resources that argue for a more nuanced and multidimensional approach to understanding mental health issues. The book "Malpractice: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals," coupled with tools like the Occupational Case Analysis Interview and Rating Scale, posits that professionals can better serve their patients through a comprehensive understanding of the sociological aspects of mental health. The conclusion is a call for a more integrated approach to mental health care, where sociology and psychology interact seamlessly.
Finally, Professor Ritzer's contributions to metatheory and applied social theory present a persuasive argument for the value of novel perspectives in understanding societal phenomena. His work argues for the necessity of continual theory development and evolution, prompting sociologists to challenge and expand upon existing frameworks. The conclusion drawn is that the field of sociology must remain dynamic, open to fresh insights and deeper understandings.
Conclusion
This exploration of Calhoun's Mouse Utopia experiments, Durkheim's theories, and proximics underscores the profound effects of overcrowding and limited personal space on societal stability. Drawing parallels to human societies, particularly in confined, overcrowded urban environments, these studies underscore the potential for analogous effects on mental health, altering societal structures, and social behaviour. The need for a multidimensional approach integrating sociology and psychology in understanding mental health is clear, as it allows for a holistic view of mental health issues and better service provision by professionals. This discussion serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of physical, social, and mental health, and the shaping role our environments play in these aspects of life.
References
Oh my gosh! I remember hearing about this experiment! So excited to see someone else writing on it