Limited physical contact through a mesh barrier is sufficient for social reward-conditioned place preference in adolescent male rats

► CPP was established in adolescent rats using pairings of a conspecific or a ball. ► These stimuli were available in the compartment or behind a mesh barrier. ► Only physical access to a partner produced CPP after 2 pairings. ► Partner behind mesh and physical access to ball produced CPP after 8 pairings. ► A conspecific behind a mesh barrier is rewarding in the absence of play.