For hints on humans, scientists study dogs’ thinking
The Boston Globe, By Carolyn Y. Johnson
Harvard, CAMBRIDGE - Studying a species known to chase its own tail may seem an unlikely way to better understand the human mind. But scientists at Harvard University’s new Canine Cognition Lab hope to gain insight into more than the psychology of dogs from visiting pet pooches - including an alert German shepherd named Celia and a rottweiler called Taylor who loves to eat chicken…
…Scientists are also drawn to dogs because of their unique history growing up in the same environment as people, and they hope to learn whether domestication has led to dogs that think and act more like their masters - or whether we just think they have human traits…
…”Here’s this species we live with. Everyone has their views about how smart they are. No doubt we are overinterpreting - and in some cases underinterpreting,” said Marc Hauser, a Harvard professor who has long studied cognition in cottontop tamarin monkeys and who heads the new lab. “To what extent is an animal that’s really been bred to be with humans capable of some of the same psychological mechanisms?…” More
Bloggers note: it will be interesting to find out how much dogs understand emotionally…this research could prove helpful in the future when laws and legislation are written regarding canines. If it is found that the emotional impact of abuse or hoarding is far greater than we initially thought, it could assist lawmakers and judges in issuing stronger sentences for the abuser.
2 years ago