Olfactory sensation promotes social motivation in the mouse.

Previous experience within an environment can influence subsequent behavior; however, what makes one strive for social dominance or capitulate to subordinance in a novel environment? Here we find motor output of socially unequal participants in a new situation indistinguishable: with winners only differing by extending social motivation which depends on olfactory sensation. Our study provides a simple platform to identify the mechanisms underlying sensory processing and social motivation.