human-animal test 1
What are the three main psychological functions for pet ownership?
-1. Projections function: Pet is used as symbolic extension of self (psychoanalytic slant) -2. Sociability function: Pet facilities human interaction -3. Surrogate function: Pet serves as surrogate human
How do people typically react to pet loss?
-1. Sense of loss -2. Feeling as if you lost part of yourself -3. Sadness, crying, mourning, grieving -4. Inability to concentrate -5. Disorientation -6. Appetite loss -7. Sleep disturbances -8. Seeking solitude -9. Guilt -10. Anger
Give several examples of growls (and other sounds) and their meanings.
-1. Soft, low-pitched growling that seems to come from the chest: Used by confident, dominant animal as a threat ("Beware!" or "Back off!") - if silence follows, attack may still occur (most attacks begin in silence) 2.Undulating growl: Growl changes in pitch from low-midrange and high-midrange and may be broken into phrases with semi-barks added as pitch rises ("I'm terrified. I may fight or run.") 3.Noisy growl, medium and higher pitch, with teeth hidden from view:..... "Yip-yip-yip-howl!" - this means "I'm lonely" or "I feel abandoned"
Coren documented his dogs' receptive language capabilities. Give some examples of his dogs' vocabulary.
-Away: dog responds by moving away -Bad dog: Dog responds by submissively cringing -Excuse me: Dog responds by getting up and standing aside -Open your mouth: Dog resp. by opening mouth for toothbrushing -Settle: Dog responds by sitting down or lying down and being quiet -Who wants a cookie?: Dog responds by immediately running to kitchen from all corners of the house
What is a virtual pet cemetery? According to Desmond (2003), what makes virtual pet cemeteries so different from physical pet cemeteries?
-Desmond (2003) argues that virtual cemeteries allow for expression of sentiments that isn't normally socially acceptable (aren't usually published in newspapers although some online newspapers do) -Virtual pet cemeteries connect people with other people having similar experiences whereas physical cemeteries only tend to connect owner with pet. -Downside is that virtual cemeteries don't provide a continuing sense of physical relation to the animal. (can't visit an actual place with a gravestone, etc.)
What is the basic difference between the terms language and speech?
-Language takes many forms including spoken language, written language, and non-verbal "body language" -For example, ASL is commonly used by the hearing-impaired in place of speech but not written language -Dogs can never be taught to use human speech because their vocal apparatus is more limited although they can vocalize many sounds (barks, growls) -Even chimpanzees and other primates (e.g., gorillas) that have been taught to communicate with humans cannot vocalize the sounds needed for human speech.
How do preschoolers, elementary-school-children, and adolescents differ in their reactions to pet loss?
-Not deeply attached to pets -View pet loss as a temporary absence (not permanent) -Elementary School Age: -Pet loss is not seen as inevitable (possible to avoid it) -Profound grief for short time with quick recovery (especially if new animal is introduced) -Miss pet because it was a playmate (not intensely bonded) -Adolescents: -Profoundly affected by pet loss -Have perception that death is final, permanent, and inevitable -Long recovery time because relationship with pet was intense
13. How does early pet adoption influence pet ownership for adults?
-People brought up in a household with pets are more likely to own pets as adults -Adults adopt pets of the same species as the pets they had as children. -Many people own pets continuously throughout their lives -Attitudes toward pets are more positive if pet adoption occurs before the child is 6-years-old -Negative experiences with animals (e.g., dog bite) also have an effect
What are some examples of extreme reactions
-Pet owner claims never wanting to have another pet -Severe depression -Suicidal thoughts -Keddie (1977) described two case studies on extreme reaction to pet loss
How do the ear positions differ for dogs expressing dominance as opposed to fear?
-Prick-eared dogs: Ears are erect or slightly forward: "What's that?" (mouth closed). "This is really interesting" (mouth slightly opened or relaxed). "I don't understand that" (mouth closed, eyes wide-open). "Im ready to fight you" (bared teeth and wrinkled nose). Ears pulled back flat against head "I'm frightened...". "I'm no threat" - relaxed.
What is the difference between receptive language and productive language? Give an example illustrating the difference.
-Receptive language involves ability to understand -Productive language involves ability to produce language -An imbalance in receptive vs. productive language skills is quite common even for humans (e.g., humans who are mute, humans who lose the ability to speak because of damage to their vocal apparatus, very young children, people who learn a secondary "foreign" language) -Young children (e.g., at 13 months, a child will understand about 100 words, but be unable to produce more than a few words) -Bottom line: if dogs don't have productive language (in the human sense), it doesn't mean they have no language at all.
How do the elderly typically react to pet loss?
-Stallones et al. (1988) found elderly living in nursing homes with pet visitation programs often thought about broader issues of human mortality and pet morality after pet loss. -Some emphasized the longevity of pets they had owned -Some spoke of their pets' intrinsic "goodness" (e.g., trusting, loyal, caring) -Pet loss without death can also be distressing for the elderly (e.g., replacement of a guide dog). It is often recommended that they older dog be left in the home (kept along with the younger replacement dog) or placed in another home of the owner's choice.
Projections function examples
-a) Pet selection reflects attempt to portray certain image (e.g., Great Dane = masculinity & power; Chihuahua=femininity) -b) Pet treatment reflects owner's personality (e.g., hypochondriac is overly concerned with pet's health; hostile person encourages dog to be hostile.) -c) Pet serves as status symbol (e.g., large, exotic pets associated with wealth; fancy grooming of pets indicates wealth; fancy food and treats indicates wealth)
Surrogate function examples
-b) confiding in animals (e.g., telling innermost secrets to pet—mostly in elderly and most common with birds who "talk back") -c) Social ceremonies (e.g., Back & catcher (1983) found 50% pet owners kept photo of pet in wallet; 25% had a portrait made of pet; 25% celebrated pet's birthday. -d) Surrogate friends (e.g., talking to pets, playing with them) -e) Surrogate mates (e.g., pet becomes as important or more important than spouse) -f) Surrogate children (e.g., 50% of childless couples treat their pets like children, some believe that having a pet first help prepare them for children)
Review the following aspects of "eye talk": pupil size, direction of gaze, blinking, and eye shape.
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What is anthropomorphism?
Anthropomorphizing pets and other animals (e.g., dolphins look happy and smiling; giving pets human names)
Why is pet adoption thought to be good for children?
Children can learn to give and receive affections -Children can learn how to take responsibility for another creature's well-being -Children's understanding of animals and how they behave can improve -Children can learn about concepts like life and death and how to cope with loss
Describe what happened when the Kelloggs raised a chimp along with their human child. Did the chimp learn to speak?
Compared to Donald, Gua (developed her motor skills much more quickly (could manipulate objects earlier, walk earlier, etc.) -The only area in which Donald was superior was in language acquisition -Gua communicated via gestures and vocalizrations, typically of chimps but she never spoke a single human word -Donald did learn Gua's "language" and would cry, bark, and scream at her appropriately like a chimp
Review the basic rules for interpreting dog speech regarding pitch, duration, and repetition rate.
Coren identifies three general "speech" characteristics: 1.Pitch: Low-pitch indicates threat and possible aggression; High-pitch indicates the opposite (makes sense because low-pitch sounds usually emanate from large animals) 2.Duration: Shorter duration is associated with higher intensity (whining vs. yelping); Longer duration also reflects conscious decision making 3.Repitition Rate: High-rate of repetition indicates excitement & urgency; Low-rate of repetition can even suggest passing state of mind.
Give several examples of barks and their meanings.
Coren provides several bark examples. These first three form a sequence of alarm barks. 1.Barking in rapid strings of 3 or 4 with pauses in between, midrange pitch: Fairly indefinite alarm call ("I suspect that there might be a problem. I think the leader of the pack should look into it.") 2.Rapid barking, midrange pitch: Basic alarm call ("Call the pack! Get ready for action! Someone is coming into our territory!") 3.Barking is still continuous but a bit slower and lower in pitch: Dog senses imminent problem ("The intruder is very close, I don't think he/she is friendly. Get ready to defend yourself!") These are other bark examples not related to alarm calls: 1.A prolonged string of barks, with moderate to long intervals between each one: "Wuff" - pause - "Wuff" - pause, and so on ("Is there anybody here? I'm lonely!") 2.One or two sharp short barks....
What is thought to be the indirect benefit of pet loss for children?
Death of pet is often the first encounter with death and bereavement -Pet loss prepares children for the reality of illness and death -Children learn that death is a natural part of the life process -Children learn that death is permanent -Children learn that dead animals will not come back to haunt them -Children learn that feeling guilty following the death of a loved one is common but can be overcome
Why do ear-cropping and tail-docking hinder dog communication?
Ear cropping: Cropping a dog's ears may make it seem more aggressive to other dogs (a lop-eared dog will be seen as more approachable)
Review the case of Eisenmann and his dog's amazing language ability. Unwittingly, what was Eisenmann doing that led his dog to "understand" complex commands that he had never heard before?
Eisenmann always gave away the answer by glancing in the general direction
What does Coren suggest for resolving dog conflicts?
If a fight breaks out, don't step in and try to break it up yourself. -Cause a distraction, spray the dogs with hose, throw a blanket or coat over the dogs. -Yelling and shorting will be interpreted as barking or growling yourself
Why do they lick?
Licking doesn't equate with human kissing. Dogs often lick if they are hungry or are trying to show submission, pacification, respect, and deference to the you as the leader of the pack.
findings of Kidd and Kidd (1980) regarding personality differences in pet owners.
Male pet-lovers and male dog-lovers were the two most dominant groups -Female cat-lovers were the least dominant -Female pet-lovers were more nurturing than male pet-lovers -Cat-lovers were less nurturing than dog-lovers or pet-lovers -Male dog-lovers were the most aggressive -Female dog-lovers and female cat-lovers were the least aggressive groups
Why is it so difficult to determine how many pets have been adopted?
No official census data for pets -Data comes from surveys conducted by American Pet Products Association, American Veterinary Medical Association surveys, etc. -Number of strays and ferals is also a factor but even more difficult to assess.
What gender differences have been found regarding pet ownership?
Women more likely to own cats (but not by much: 35% vs. 28%) -Most primary caregivers are women -More women consider themselves pet parents -Adolescent girls more likely to have cats -Adolescent boys more likely to have large dogs -Men more likely to own dogs, fish, and birds -Men most likely to own dogs
Why do dogs yawn?
Yawning face is not submissive, just non-threatening -A less dominant dog may yawn when a dominant dog is looking at it -The more dominant dog may yawn to reassure those surrounding him that they don't need to be fearful
3. What considerations should be made before adopting a pet?
Your motivation, Financial investment, Lifestyle changes, Other pets you already have, Animal's adult size, Breed characteristics, Sex of animal, Time and energy needed for pet, Legal restrictions and local housing regulations, Your previous experience with pets & your patience, A secondary caretaker.
Sociability function examples
a) Pets attract attention (e.g., people talk to you while you are walking dog in park; going out in public with large snake around your neck brings attention) -b) Pet owners perceived differently (e.g., pet owners assumed to be nicer than average, friendly, happier, more confident, more relaxed, more approachable) -c )Pets are topics of conversation (e.g., pets serve as "ice-breakers"; pets entertain others) -d) Pets can inhibit social interaction (e.g., owning venomous snakes as pets; pet care as excuse for not interacting with other people; owning many pets discourages visitors)
What are some of the most popular dog and cat names?
dog names in U.S. (2012): Bella, Max, Buddy, Daisy, Bailey, Coco, Lucy, Charlie, Molly, Rocky. -cat names in U.S. (2011): Kitty, Bella, Tiger, Max, Smokey, Shadow, Tigger, Lucy, Chloe, Charlie
According to Coren, how limited is a dog's language ability?
learn up to 200 human words/phrases (about the same as an average 2-year-old child) although some claim up to 350!
What do case studies on feral children suggest regarding human language acquisition?
that you must be exposed to language in your critical stage. Feral children have not been raised by other humans -Example: In 1920, Reverend Singh discovered two feral children in India who were living with wolves—Kamala who was about 8-yrs-old and Amala who was about 2-yrs-old. -Amala died shortly thereafter but Kamala lived almost 10 years. -Both girls walked on all fours, preferred raw meat, didn't smile or show interest in human company, had wolf-life ability to smell and hear, didn't have any human language (only growled, snarled, whimpered, howled) -Singh attempted to teach both kKamala and Amala human language (Hindi) -After 3 years, Kamala had a vocabulary of about 12 words: After a few more years, about 40 words. -Kamala's words were often only partly-formed (e.g., bil for biral (cat)) and her grammar stilted (e.g., Kamala said "Bak-poo-voo" after putting dolls in a box instead of "Basksa-pootool-vootara" ((Box-doll -inside) -At the age of 16, Kamala had the mental capacity of a typical 3.5 year-old