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animal psychology

·December 12, 2024·6 min read

Do Animals Really Understand Fairness?

New research challenges the idea that animals share humans’ sense of fairness, suggesting their reactions to unequal rewards stem from unmet expectations rather than inequity aversion. In the largest meta-analysis to date, researchers reanalyzed data from 23 studies across 18 species and found no strong evidence of jealousy or fairness aversion in animals.

This shows a dog and a communication board.

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·December 10, 2024·5 min read

Dogs Using Soundboards Show Intentional Communication

Dogs trained to use soundboards can combine two-word buttons purposefully to communicate needs and desires, rather than randomly or by imitating their owners. Researchers analyzed over 260,000 button presses from 152 dogs, finding meaningful combinations like "outside + potty" occurring more often than chance.

This shows ancient man fishing with dogs at his side.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 5, 2024·5 min read

Ancient Friendship: Humans and Dogs Bonded 12,000 Years Ago

Humans and canines in the Americas formed close relationships 12,000 years ago, earlier than previously thought. Archaeological findings in Alaska, including a 12,000-year-old canine tibia and an 8,100-year-old jawbone, indicate these animals relied on humans for food, such as salmon, rather than hunting independently.

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·November 13, 2024·7 min read

How Viewing Dogs as Family Changes Owner Behaviors

New research shows that how owners perceive their dogs—as friends, family, or security guards—shapes the way they care for them. Surveying over 800 dog owners, researchers found that people who view dogs as family often form closer bonds and dedicate more time to them, while others keep dogs mainly for companionship or practical roles. This generational shift in perception highlights a growing trend of treating dogs as family members.

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·November 8, 2024·6 min read

Emotional Bonding: How Dog-Owner Heart Rates Sync During Interaction

Dogs and their owners show synchronized heart rate variability (HRV), reflecting shared emotional states during relaxed interactions, a new study reveals. Researchers observed that both heart rate and physical activity levels adapt between dogs and owners, but the strongest emotional connection appears during restful moments, indicating shared relaxation.

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·November 8, 2024·4 min read

Chimpanzees’ Task Performance Changes When Observed by Humans

A new study finds that chimpanzees, like humans, are affected by being watched: their performance on computer tasks improved on difficult tasks with larger human audiences but declined on simpler ones. This phenomenon, known as the "audience effect," was previously thought to be unique to humans and linked to reputation management. The results suggest that sensitivity to being observed may have evolved before human society developed its complex reputation-based social structures.

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·October 24, 2024·6 min read

Chick Calls Reveal Emotional States

Researchers have developed a way to measure stress in baby chicks using vocalizations, offering new insights into animal emotions. The study found that chicks alone produced higher-pitched, louder calls, indicating anxiety-like states, while calmer chicks showed more relaxed vocal patterns.

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·October 14, 2024·5 min read

When Dogs and Humans Connect, So Do Their Brainwaves

Research reveals that dogs’ and humans’ brain activity can synchronize when they gaze into each other’s eyes. Known as neural coupling, this phenomenon has been seen in interactions within species, but observing it between different species highlights the unique human-dog bond.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 2, 2024·4 min read

Dolphins’ “Smile” Reveals Playful Intentions

Bottlenose dolphins use an "open mouth" expression, similar to a smile, during playful interactions with other dolphins. This expression is a signal of fun and playfulness, preventing misunderstandings as aggression.

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·October 2, 2024·3 min read

Humans Slow Speech to Help Dogs Understand

A new study reveals that humans naturally slow their speech when talking to dogs, which helps dogs better understand commands. Researchers analyzed speech rates and brain responses in 30 dogs and 27 humans across five languages, finding that humans speak at around three syllables per second to their pets, compared to four syllables when talking to other humans.

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·August 29, 2024·5 min read

Dogs Using Soundboard Buttons Understand Words

A new study reveals that dogs trained with soundboard buttons can comprehend and respond to specific words, indicating they may truly understand the words and not just react to cues from their owners. Researchers found that dogs responded appropriately to words like “play” and “outside,” regardless of who pressed the buttons, suggesting genuine word comprehension.