Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Bauer, Gordon

Keywords

Animal Emotion, Animal Behavior, Dogs

Area of Concentration

Psychology

Abstract

This study investigated owner perceptions of dog emotions and its relations to anthropomorphic tendencies. Participants answered questionnaires about particular emotions, anthropomorphic attitudes, and beliefs about an interaction that could possibly involve guilt. Some also participated in a filmed interaction where the dog was left alone with a forbidden treat. There was a positive correlation between anthropomorphic attitudes and beliefs about dog emotions. There were also gender differences. Women were more likely than men to both anthropomorphize their dogs and perceive more complex emotions. The possibility of complex emotions such as guilt in dogs was discussed. Understanding the motivations and emotions of dogs could help to strengthen the dog-human relationship.

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