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Kuo CH, Kessler S. Intergenerational Transmission of Human Parenting Styles to Human-Dog Relationships. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1038. [PMID: 38612277 PMCID: PMC11010965 DOI: 10.3390/ani14071038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Parenting style and intergenerational transmission have been extensively studied in parent-child relationships. As dogs are increasingly recognized as integral members of the family system, there is a growing interest in understanding how parenting behaviors directed towards dogs can also influence a dog's behaviors. However, the reasons why people adopt certain parenting behaviors towards dogs remain relatively unknown. This study delved into the intergenerational transmission of parenting styles from one's upbringing to caregiving for dogs. Using a mixed methods approach with 391 dog caregivers and 10 interviews, this study employed multivariate linear regression and thematic analysis. Permissive parenting exhibited an intergenerational effect, with those experiencing it being more likely to replicate the style with their dogs. Orientation towards dogs emerged as a crucial mediator, with protectionistic attitudes reducing the likelihood of replicating authoritarian parenting. Humanistic and protectionistic orientation increased the likelihood of compensatory permissive behaviors. Insights from interviews underscored the impact of perceived childhood experiences on adopting specific parenting behaviors. Ultimately, this study provides valuable insights that can contribute to the promotion of appropriate caregiving behaviors toward dogs. By drawing on our understanding of child-parent relationships, addressing the underlying elements of human-dog dynamics may lead to positive outcomes both for dogs and their caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih Hsin Kuo
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
- Division of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK;
| | - Sharon Kessler
- Division of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK;
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Richards EM, Silver ZA, Santos LR. Impact of the Dog-Human Bond on Canine Social Evaluation: Attachment Predicts Preference toward Prosocial Actors. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2480. [PMID: 37570289 PMCID: PMC10417759 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Scholars have argued that social evaluation, the capacity to evaluate different potential social partners, is an important capacity not just for humans but for all cooperative species. Recent work has explored whether domesticated dogs share a human-like ability to evaluate others based on prosocial and antisocial actions toward third parties. To date, this work has shown mixed results, suggesting that individual differences may play a role in dogs' capacity to evaluate others. In the present study, we test whether attachment-an individual difference that affects human social evaluation performance-can explain the mixed pattern of social evaluation results observed in dogs. We first tested dogs on a social evaluation task in which an experimenter either helped or refused to help the dog's owner open a container. We then assessed dogs' attachment strength using a subset of the C-BARQ. We found that attachment was a statistically significant predictor of dogs' preference toward the prosocial actor but was not a predictor in antisocial or control conditions. This finding provides early evidence that attachment may drive positivity biases in dogs and that attachment might explain mixed results within canine social evaluation literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M. Richards
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; (Z.A.S.)
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Sung JY, Han JS. Exploring the Role of Empathy as a Dual Mediator in the Relationship between Human-Pet Attachment and Quality of Life: A Survey Study among Adult Dog Owners. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2220. [PMID: 37444018 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of empathy on the relationship between human-dog attachment and human quality of life. A survey involving 263 dog owners was conducted to gather data on attachment to dogs, empathy, and human quality of life in Korea. The findings indicate significant correlations between attachment to dogs, human empathy, and quality of life. Specifically, both general attachment and concerns for animal rights/welfare demonstrate meaningful parallel double-mediation effects. However, cognitive empathy does not show a significant double-mediation effect on human quality of life. These findings emphasize the importance of attachment and empathy towards dogs in enhancing the quality of life of both humans and dogs. The study suggests a shift in perceiving dogs as independent individuals rather than mere substitutes for humans. Future research should focus on emotional factors, particularly affective empathy, to further enhance the quality of life for both humans and dogs through improved relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Yu Sung
- Department of Bio and Healing Convergence, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Soo Han
- Department of Bio and Healing Convergence, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Institute for the 3Rs & Animal Welfare, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
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Martínez M, Robinson LM, Brosnan SF, Range F. Dogs take into account the actions of a human partner in a cooperative task. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20222189. [PMID: 36787798 PMCID: PMC9928525 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans stand out for their capacity to flexibly cooperate, possibly because they understand their partners' role. Researchers have explored if such understanding is unique to humans by assessing whether non-human species wait to manipulate a cooperative apparatus until a delayed partner arrives. If animals do wait, then it is assumed that they recognize the need for a partner. However, success in these tasks may be the result of social facilitation, while failure may be due to poor inhibitory control. Moreover, this approach does not test if animals take their partners' actions into account. Here we trained dogs to press a button simultaneously with their human partner. Afterwards, we tested them in several conditions to disentangle which elements of their partner's behaviour they take into account. Dogs waited to press the button until the delayed partner arrived, the button was available to the partner and the partner acted (pressed the button). We found no relationship between inhibitory control and success. We conclude that dogs are not merely reacting to the presence of their human partners, but are also taking their actions into account when coordinating with them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayte Martínez
- Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1a, A-1160 Vienna, Austria.,Language Research Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Lauren M Robinson
- Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1a, A-1160 Vienna, Austria.,Language Research Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Sarah F Brosnan
- Language Research Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.,Departments of Psychology and Philosophy, Neuroscience Institute, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Friederike Range
- Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1a, A-1160 Vienna, Austria
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Kelly DM, Lea SEG. Animal cognition, past present and future, a 25th anniversary special issue. Anim Cogn 2023; 26:1-11. [PMID: 36565389 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-022-01738-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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