Israeli Researcher Studies Cow Optimism Using Behavioral Games

Dr. Oren Forkosh, a researcher at the Hebrew University's Faculty of Agriculture, is pioneering a novel approach to understanding animal emotions, specifically optimism in cows. Instead of invasive methods, Forkosh uses behavioral "games" where cows are trained to respond to vibrations from a device on their necks. These vibrations signal whether a "treat box" contains a reward with a high (90%) or low (20%) probability. By observing whether a cow chooses to investigate the box when the signal is ambiguous, researchers aim to gauge its level of optimism, essentially asking if the animal perceives the world as a place worth exploring even with uncertain outcomes.

Forkosh emphasizes that this research avoids anthropomorphism, the tendency to project human emotions onto animals. He cites a classic mouse experiment where mice were categorized as "brave" or "anxious" based on their maze choices, only to discover later that the "brave" mice were actually blind and couldn't perceive the maze's width. This highlights the danger of interpreting animal behavior through a human lens, suggesting that actions like a dog wagging its tail might not always signify happiness but could relate to social dynamics.

The research, conducted at a dairy farm in Mikve Israel, involves cows that are not starved and receive regular, healthy diets. The treats are supplementary. Forkosh's team focuses on changes in optimism within an individual cow over time, rather than ranking cows against each other, acknowledging that some cows might simply be more food-motivated. Preliminary findings from a parallel experiment, where cows were placed in enriched environments with fewer animals and more toys, showed a decrease in cortisol levels (a stress indicator), though these positive effects were not always long-lasting, indicating that happiness is not a permanent state.

Forkosh's ultimate goal is to develop a "universal translator" for animals, not by deciphering sounds, but by analyzing complex behavioral data to understand their internal states, preferences, and potentially emotional conditions without human interpretation. He believes this deeper understanding is crucial for improving animal welfare and fostering a more harmonious relationship between humans and animals, questioning the ethical implications of how animals are raised, studied, and consumed if they are indeed sentient beings with personalities and emotions.