Buzzed but not elated? Effect of ethanol on cognitive judgement bias in honeybees

The paradigm framing of the preprint is the study of animal behavior and cognition, specifically focusing on how affective states can be measured and influenced. The dominant paradigm accepts that invertebrates, such as honeybees, can experience affective states and uses methods like Cognitive Judgement Bias (CJB) tests to assess them.

This research operates within the existing paradigm of animal affect and cognition research. It investigates a specific question (the effect of ethanol on honeybee CJB) using established methodologies (CJB tests, locomotor activity tests, hemolymph analysis). The study does not challenge the fundamental assumptions of the field but rather contributes to the existing body of knowledge by testing a novel manipulation (pharmacological intervention). The null results suggest that either ethanol doesn't affect honeybee CJB at the tested dose or the CJB paradigm may not be sensitive enough to capture these effects. The authors discuss both possibilities and suggest future directions for research, including exploring other doses, using chronic exposure, combining behavioral assays with other markers, and considering adaptation to ethanol in honeybees. This aligns with the characteristics of normal science, where research focuses on puzzle-solving within the established paradigm.