Our Rodent Selfies, Ourselves

Our Rodent Selfies, Ourselves

Why Do We Photograph and Share Our Lives?

Open Ended

“Why do you think so many people feel the need to take pictures and share them online? What are some reasons we do this?”

Why Do We Photograph and Share Our Lives?

The Experiment:

• A photographer, Augustin Lignier, created a “photo booth” for two pet-store rats to explore why we take and share pictures.

• The rats (named Augustin and Arthur) pressed a button, got a small sugar reward, and took a picture of themselves.

Our Rodent Selfies, Ourselves

Why Do We Photograph and Share Our Lives?

The Concept:

• The experiment was inspired by psychologist B.F. Skinner, who showed that animals would press a lever for rewards (like food).

• Social media works in a similar way—likes, follows, and comments act as unpredictable rewards that keep us hooked.

Our Rodent Selfies, Ourselves

Why Do We Photograph and Share Our Lives?

Why It Matters:

• Just like the rats pressing buttons, humans feel drawn to take photos, share them, and keep checking for feedback.

• This experiment helps us reflect on our relationship with technology and why we sometimes “can’t stop scrolling.”

Our Rodent Selfies, Ourselves

Open Ended

Excerpt:
"Whenever the rats pressed the button inside the box, they got a small dose of sugar and the camera snapped their photo. The resulting images were immediately displayed on a screen, where the rats could see them.”

Question:

“How do you think this experiment relates to how humans use social media today?”

Poll

Excerpt:
“Social media has been described as ‘a Skinner Box for the modern human,’ doling out periodic, unpredictable rewards — a like, a follow, a promising romantic match — that keep us glued to our phones.”

Poll Question (Multiple Choice):

“What is the most common reward you check for on social media?”

• Likes

• Comments

• New follows/friends

• Message

Open Ended

Excerpt:
"In a 2014 study, scientists concluded that many human volunteers ‘preferred to administer electric shocks to themselves instead of being left alone with their thoughts.’"

Question (Open-Ended):

“Why do you think some people would rather distract themselves—even with something unpleasant—than sit in silence?”

Open Ended

Excerpt:
"In a 2014 study, scientists concluded that many human volunteers ‘preferred to administer electric shocks to themselves instead of being left alone with their thoughts.’"

Question (Open-Ended):

Follow-Up: “How does this relate to how we interact with our phones and social media?”

“Why do so many of us feel compelled to photograph our lives and share those images online? What does this say about us?”

T​urn & Talk Activity:

• Pair up and discuss your thoughts.

• Share out key ideas with the class.

Main Question to Discuss:

Questions to Think About:

1. What parts of the article — quotes, images, or ideas — stood out to you? Why?

2. How does this article challenge or confirm what you already know?

3. What connections can you make between this article and your life?

4. What would you like to ask the journalist about this experiment?

Read Article and Answer above questions

Article Reflection Questions

Open Ended

Exit Ticket Prompt:
“What can we learn from the rats in this experiment about our own habits with technology and social media? Write down one takeaway.”