Novelty Preference: Why Our Brains Crave the Unknown
Scientifically Reviewed · Dr. Marwa Abd-Alazim · September 26, 2026
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Novelty preference is a task used to measure animals’ preference for novel stimuli. The task can measure preferences and aversions to both physical and non-physical stimuli, such as food, sounds, and environments. Novelty preference is a useful tool for assessing learning and memory in animal research, as well as cognitive abilities such as executive functioning and attention.
The novelty preference task is designed to test animals’ preferences for novel stimuli compared to familiar ones. To complete the task, the animal is presented with two stimuli, one of which is familiar and one of which is novel. The animal’s choice of the novel stimulus is taken as an indication of a preference for the novel stimulus. The task can be applied to a range of stimuli, including food, sounds, and environments.
The task is often used to assess learning and memory in animals. For example, animals can be presented with a series of familiar stimuli and then a novel one. The animal’s choice of the novel stimulus is taken as an indication of learning. Alternatively, animals can be presented with a single stimulus, and then the same stimulus again after a delay. The animal’s choice of the novel stimulus is taken as an indication of memory.
Novelty preference tasks can also be used to assess executive functioning and attention. For example, animals can be presented with a series of stimuli, and their ability to select the novel stimulus in the series is taken as an indication of executive functioning. Alternatively, animals can be presented with two identical stimuli and their ability to select the novel one is taken as an indication of attention.
In conclusion, the novelty preference task is a useful tool for assessing learning and memory, as well as cognitive abilities such as executive functioning and attention, in animal research.
References
Buhl, D., & Harris, J. (2010). Novelty preference: A measure of learning and memory. Learning & Memory, 17(6), 307–317.
Farr, S. A., & Whishaw, I. Q. (2001). Preference for novelty in inbred and outbred mice. Physiology & Behavior, 73(4), 591–601.
Gavrilov, Y., & Rotenberg, A. (2011). Novelty preference and executive function. Behavioral Neurobiology of Motivation, 15(1), 43–50.
