Dogs, Cats And Horses Representations In Minds Of Children
Animals are used frequently in educational or therapeutic activities for children. This study explores perceptions of different animals among autistic children, cognitively impaired children, and children without cognitive impairment.
Three groups of children were shown pictures of animals and humans. Subsequently, to investigate what each animal represented to each child, each was asked to choose a picture and answer nine questions taken from existing tests and previous findings in literature.
Researchers found that the three mammals (dogs, cats, and horses) were perceived positively by typical children and those with cognitive impairment, and that the possibility of touching the animal was an important factor of influence among the children’s choices. Additionally, researchers concluded that the morphological similarity between humans and animals could at least party explain the results for these three mammals.