When learning is a dangerous thing: Dynamics of panic behavior among confined young mice under altered exit locations

Abstract

Young mice subjected to panicogenic stimulus in a confined space where the exit was changed from that which was previously known demonstrate increased throughput time due to herding and persistence of many mice towards the "known" but closed exit. This indicates some maladaptive effects of previous learning in case of panic. Early exit of mice that did not join the herd did not improve throughput time of the herders. The pattern of throughput with respect to time fits the sigmoid curve generated by the Verhulst equation, which models population growth. Implications of findings and observations on other peculiar mouse behavior are discussed.