Posted on 11/07/2007 8:03:14 AM PST by Daffynition
Dog owners who think their beloved pooch can read their mind may be right.
Canterbury University psychology student Michelle Maginnity has just completed a masters research project looking at whether the domestic dog has a theory of mind - that is, whether they can think about the thoughts and feelings of self and others.
She said after carrying out a range of experiments which tested the cognitive skills of dogs, she believed they were not only sensitive to human cues, but also had the ability to think about what their human companions may be thinking.
"So, in a way, dogs may be able to read minds," she said.
Michelle's research involved testing the social-cognitive skills of 16 dogs, some pure bred and others of mixed breed, in a food-finding task. In four different experiments the dogs had to decide where the food was hidden by following cues from people who either did or didn't know where the food was.
Michelle said a range of scenarios were tested, for example, one person watched food being hidden while the other covered their eyes, and in each test the dogs showed a preference for the person who they believed knew where the food was.
"What this showed was that the dogs were able to take the perspective of the humans involved in the experiment, and attribute states of knowledge to those people," Michelle said.
"This means dogs may possess a functional theory of mind."
Michelle said research on the social cognition skills of animals had largely focused on chimpanzees and other primates, with relatively inconclusive results. However, she believed dogs were a more appropriate species to look at.
"Domestic dogs have evolved from wolves, which are social pack animals. It would therefore be advantageous to them to be able to think about what other pack members are thinking, especially when taking part in co-operative hunting. In that situation it also helps if they're able to think about what their prey may be thinking," she said.
"Another important factor is that dogs have evolved alongside humans and are likely to have become attuned to human behaviour and social cues to help in their interactions with people."
This thread calls out for tin foil hats on dogs(or people near dogs)
I could have told them that and saved a lot of time and money.
This study will be used by women to justify their criticism of men who can't read their minds. Men, dogs; what's the difference?
No doubt, the dingbat needs to spend a few months studying the laws of probability.
The thoughts of Greg's genius dog: Where is Greg? When is Greg coming home? Where is Greg? I want some food. What was that noise? I'm thirsty. Where is Greg? I'm tired. I really have to go pee. Where is Greg? What was that noise? I'm tired. I want to go outside now. Where is Greg?
Can I get a federal grant to test this theory on my dogs?
Your dog’s obviously been neutered.
Don't see why not. Go for it!
My post above would have been much funnier with the picture. Really, it would have been.
Yes, actually he has been nuetered!
I knew it. So has mine. No thought whatsoever about female dogs. The only other thoughts my dog has (from what you mentioned) regard squirrels, rabbits & birds.
Big difference. My dog Bubba loves me unconditionally, comforts me when I’m ill or sad, never complains about the food put in front of him and gives better kisses. That is why I call him my “Old Man” and call hubby “The Gardener”...I am just having an affair with “The Gardener”.
Of course we already knew this... but what is their opinion on logical positivism and on Wittgenstein’s Tractatus?
:’)
Hey! That really does look like my dog!
Dogs might be able to read minds, but they have no concept of time. Example. Dog walks you to door as you leave for work. You forget your keys and go back in the house. Your dog greets you like he hasn’t seen you in days. It always makes me laugh. Love dogs.
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