Emotional contagion between dogs and people: a literature review

Authors

  • Camila María Cavalli Instituto de investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) / Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7128-7721
  • Mariana Bentosela Instituto de investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) / Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8443-9552

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24215/2422572Xe080

Keywords:

dogs, empathy, emotional contagion, help, consolation

Abstract

Emotional contagion is a basic form of empathy which occurs when an individual shares the emotional state of another. The assessment of domestic dogs’ (Canis familiaris) empathic capabilities towards people results of interest given their lengthy domestication process, their ability to form attachment bonds with their owners and the importance of ontogenetic experiences in the development of canine social cognition. The aim of this review is to analyze the research regarding the phenomenon of emotional contagion in dogs and examine whether they can offer help or consolation when a person is anguished. The contagion of negative emotions, particularly stress, has been observed both in artificial laboratory situations as well as in ecological interactions between dogs and owners. The evidence remains controversial regarding whether dogs offer help or consolation, so further research is needed to clarify the extent of their empathic capabilities.

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Author Biographies

Camila María Cavalli, Instituto de investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) / Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Soy Licenciada en Psicología de la Universidad de Buenos Aires y me encuentro realizando mi doctorado en Psicología en la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, con una beca doctoral CONICET. Formo parte del Grupo de Investigación del Comportamiento en Cánidos (ICOC) desde 2014. Mi tesis tiene como objetivo realizar un perfil sociocognitivo de los perros que participan en Intervenciones Asistidas con Animales (IAA).En el marco de este equipo publiqué diversos artículos en revistas nacionales e internacionales y participé como expositora en varios congresos y jornadas.

Mariana Bentosela, Instituto de investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) / Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Mariana Bentosela, es Doctora en Psicología por la Universidad de Buenos Aires, Investigadora Principal de CONICET y dirige al Grupo de Investigación de Comportamiento en Cánidos (ICOC). Su área de especialización es la Psicología Experimental Comparada. Ha publicado numerosos trabajos en revistas tanto internacionales como nacionales, así como varios capítulos de libro y ha participado como expositora en diversos congresos y jornadas. 

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Published

2021-02-14

How to Cite

Cavalli, C. M., & Bentosela, M. (2021). Emotional contagion between dogs and people: a literature review. Journal of Psychology, 080. https://doi.org/10.24215/2422572Xe080

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Research articles