Faunalytics.org makes use of JavaScript to operate fully, but Javascript is disabled in your browser

Psychology

 | 

Animal-Assisted Interventions: Making Better Use of the Human-Animal Bond
In this article promoting the One Health program, authors Daniel Mills and Sophie Hall offer a fairly comprehensive literature review outlining how companion animals are positive contributors to human health outcomes. One Health is described as "the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines — working locally, nationally, and globally — to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment." The authors chose to focus primarily on how companion animals can help humans, especially in relation to older people and children. They urge the larger medical community to see companion animals and therapy animals as not simply "novel" and "cost-effective" ways of improving human health, but as potentially serving a more serious role as "valuable contributors to human health and wellbeing and, as a result, society and the broader economy." READ MORE

 | 

Animal Welfare and the Paradox of Animal Consciousness
In this paper, Marian Dawkins gives a summary of the history of the study of animal consciousness, and describes problems that scholars currently have in proving or demonstrating animal consciousness. In describing the history of animal behaviorism and related scholarship, as well as the the study of human consciousness, Dawkins explores how human shortcomings in understanding our own cognition also hamper our ability to recognize consciousness in other animals. However, Dawkins ultimately questions whether a detailed knowledge of animal consciousness is even necessary to provide animals with the welfare that they deserve. READ MORE

 | 

Beyond Morality: Developing a New Rhetorical Strategy
In this article, author Maxim Fetissenko presents a critique of animal advocacy strategy focused on moral arguments, and offers possibilities for alternative approaches based on appealing to human self-interest. Using the slavery abolition and anti-apartheid movements as historical precedents, Fetissenko notes that such movements have always had a strong ethical / moral component, but their results were ultimately bolstered by the self-interest of others. Outlining examples of current animal advocacy campaigns, such as Proposition 2 in California, the author seeks to understand and analyze why certain strategies appeal more to the general public, and how they can be altered to get a better outcome for animal rights. READ MORE

 | 

‘Never an It’: Intersubjectivity and the Creation of Animal Personhood in Animal Shelters
In this paper, Nicola Taylor asks sociologists to open themselves up to the further study of human-animal relationships, and specifically the way that identity and subjecthood is constructed across the human-animal dualism. Using two animal shelters from the U.K. as case studies, Taylor examines the way that animals living at those shelters are treated as persons and accorded personhood through the actions of shelter staff. Taking account of the processes of naming animals, as well as how individuals are placed into homes, Taylor shows that shelter staff take great consideration and labor in making sure that the animals in their care are taken seriously as individuals and persons. READ MORE

 | 

Diffusion Communications in Animal Advocacy
In this paper, scholar Alexandria Graff makes a case for applying Everett Rogers' theory of the "diffusion of innovations" to animal advocacy. Taking veganism / animal rights as an "innovation," Graff maps Rogers' theory in relation to animal advocacy and offers a multitude of new ways for advocates to see their work. Though diffusion theory has often been a way of thinking about technological innovations - for example, we use diffusion theory when we are thinking of "early adopters" of new technologies or apps - it is very much applicable to the diffusion of social movements and their related ideas. READ MORE

 | 

Autonomy in Chimpanzees
In this article, researchers make a strong case for chimpanzee autonomy. Spending most of the piece outlining a definition of autonomy itself, the authors prove that chimpanzees satisfy the basic definition and all of its essential conditions. Citing a variety of already-published research on chimp psychology, they show that acknowledging chimp autonomy is more or less a foregone conclusion if one were to view it from a non-speciesist perspective. The evidence has already been established, and can be easily combined to support the proposal of autonomy. READ MORE

 | 

Why Do Right-Wing Adherents Engage in More Animal Exploitation and Meat Consumption?
Even though a number of studies have established a link between right-wing ideology and meat-eating, there is a dearth of literature addressing why those with right-wing beliefs are more likely to consume animals. Recognizing the gap, this study of Dutch and Belgian adults begins to address the question of why, and finds that people with right-wing beliefs tend to staunchly oppose any movement that threatens traditions, or perceived human superiority. Though it is only an initial foray into right-wing psychology and its tendency towards animal exploitation, the authors establish a strong link between the two and encourage further inquiry. READ MORE
Faunalytics uses cookies to provide necessary site functionality and to help us understand how you use our website. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our privacy policy.
I Agree
meerkat-emails.jpg

Don’t Miss a Thing

Faunalytics delivers the latest and most important information directly to your inbox. Choose what topics you want to see and how often you get our emails, and you can unsubscribe anytime.