Rescued Goats at a Sanctuary Display Positive Mood after Former Neglect

摘要: Abstract Moods influence cognitive processes in that people positive moods expect more events to occur and less negative ones ("optimistic bias"), whereas the opposite happens for ("pessimistic bias"). The evidence an effect of mood on bias is also increasing animals, suggesting measures optimism pessimism could provide useful indicators animal welfare. For obvious ethical reasons, serious poor treatments cannot be easily replicated large mammals order study their long-term effects moods. In this study, we tested (>2 years) prior welfare rescued goats at sanctuary, using a spatial judgement experiment. A group had experienced before arriving sanctuary ("poor group"; n =9 goats) was compared with another generally good care ("control goats). We first trained discriminate between rewarded non-rewarded location. then responses two groups ambiguous locations situated reference locations. Our results showed that, after three days training, both equally There no overall during test, but there interaction sex group. Surprisingly, females from ( =4) reacted way predicted, optimistic than control =5). This suggests these experiencing triggered by release stress. They were males same Male did not differ =4 controls). Therefore, our show several years care, displayed (females) or similar as controls (males). probably recover neglect, differences potentially exist. pessimistic biases domestic animals are likely have strong impact abilities cope environment,