The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Anthropomorphism The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Anthropomorphism
Showing posts with label Anthropomorphism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anthropomorphism. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Maybe It’s Time to Take Animal Feelings Seriously


Dogs can read human emotions. So, it appears, can horses. Whales have regional accents. Ravens have demonstrated that they might be able to guess at the thoughts of other ravens — something scientists call “theory of mind,” which has long been considered a uniquely human ability. All of these findings have been published within the past several weeks, and taken together they suggest that many of the traits and abilities we believe are “uniquely human” are, in fact, not so unique to us.

To read more on this story, click here: Maybe It’s Time to Take Animal Feelings Seriously


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Saturday, February 1, 2020

People Who Talk To Their Pets Are Smarter Than Those Who Don’t


I admit it: I talk to my pets. I even have a different voice for each one. My non-animal friends think it’s silly and more than a little crazy to carry on these one-sided conversations. But Nicholas Epley, professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago, disagrees. He feels it’s perfectly normal to engage in this behavior, and it may actually indicate a higher level of social cognition.

Epley is the author of Mindwise: How We Understand What Others Think, Believe, Feel, and Want. He is considered one of the world’s foremost experts on the phenomenon of anthropomorphism – the tendency to assign human thoughts, feelings or characteristics to a non-human object or being.

Anthropomorphism is common in children, who are able to amuse themselves for hours on end talking to imaginary friends and toys. It’s perfectly healthy behavior, and helps them to develop the social skills they will need later in life.

To read more on this story, click here: People Who Talk To Their Pets Are Smarter Than Those Who Don’t


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Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Here’s Why People Who Speak To Their Pets May Be Smarter Than Those Who Don’t


If your pet was polled, how do you think you would rank?

Would your furry friend praise your loyalty? Admonish your stubbornness? And what about smarts? Does your pet think you are intelligent?

If you’re on speaking terms with your companion animal, you may be getting higher marks in that category than you think.

“Historically, anthropomorphising has been treated as a sign of childishness or stupidity,” Nicholas Epley, behavioural science professor at the University of Chicago, told Quartz, “But it’s actually a natural byproduct of the tendency that makes humans uniquely smart on this planet.”

To read more on this story, click here: Here’s Why People Who Speak To Their Pets May Be Smarter Than Those Who Don’t


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