A Study of Hope

Dr. Curt Richter conducted the infamous 1957 study "on the phenomenon of sudden death in animals and man" and discovered something amazing about hope.

The study by Richter, may not be an ethical or comfortable study in these modern times, however, the results of the study are notable.

The study involved:

• Wild Rats

• Domestic Rats

Rat

Dr. Richter wanted to see how long rats would survive in a bucket of water before they would die. He theorised that the wild rats (which were more aggressive and adaptable in the wild) would fight for survival whereas domestic rats would die quicker.

Dr. Richter was wrong. For the first experiment, Dr. Ritcher conducted the study on the domesticated rats.  3 domestic rats also only lasted a few minutes. However, 9 of the 12 domestic rats survived for 50-60 hours...days.

For the second experiment, all 34 of the wild rats only lasted a few minutes. He theorised the domesticated rats had likely been assisted by humans in the past and had been able to rely on hope.

For the third experiment, just before the rats gave up, Dr. Ritcher saved the rats, held them and allowed them to recover. He then placed them back into the buckets. They swam longer than the first two experiments...before they had hope.

This study is a key piece of evidence in research on learned helplessness and how hope or perceived control can dramatically alter behavior in response to stressful situations. It also shows how rescue or intervention can break the cycle of despair, making the rats persist longer when they believe they have a chance.

The situation of these rats scarcely seems one demanding fight or flight—it is rather one of hopelessness;

whether they are restrained in the hand or confined in the swimming jar,

the rats are in a situation against which they have no defense.

This reaction of hopelessness is shown by some wild rats very soon after

being grasped in the hand and prevented from moving;

they seem literally to "give up."

-Dr Curt Richter

References and Further Reading:

Richter, C. P. (1957). On the phenomenon of sudden death in animals and man. Psychosomatic Medicine, 19(3), 191-8.