Research Nutshell

Personality and Sympathy

A study featured in the upcoming issue of Society & Animals (Vol. 18, No. 2) looked at how personality traits and gender related to sympathetic reactions toward dogs used in fighting.

Study Summary:

Researchers from Christopher Newport University and the University of Kansas gave pre-test questionnaires to 160 college students to assess personality traits of sympathy (characterized by feelings of warmth, compassion and sympathy for other individuals) as well as general agreeableness (helpfulness, softheartedness, trust for other individuals). The students were then shown a film depicting dogs abused in the Michael Vick dog fighting operation. Another questionnaire was then given to assess how gender and the traits of general sympathy as well as sympathy toward animals factored into the students' feelings toward the "bait" dogs shown in the film.

The researchers found that "[t]he results of the study generally supported our predictions that trait sympathy for animal suffering, general trait sympathy, agreeableness, and gender would predict sympathetic reactions to viewing a bait dog on a film clip. Thus, the findings of the present study suggest that individual difference variables are important predictors of sympathetic reactions to media regarding animal abuse." Individual or personality differences are distinguished from situational variables, those where people all respond the same because of the pull of circumstances. So, the study suggests that individuals who by nature are sympathetic and agreeable, and, another finding, are emotionally stable, are more likely to be moved by witnessing animal abuse. Women are more likely to be moved than men, largely because they score higher on measures of sympathy and agreeableness.

Policy Implications:

The study concludes that "the strong relation found between agreeableness and sympathetic reactions to a mistreated bait dog in the current study has important implications for mental health professionals treating animal abusers." For those professionals involved with the assessment and treatment of animal abusers, this suggests that assessments must distinguish between the contributions of personality traits and those of more situational influences - family situation. It may be helpful, where possible, to include a personality measure in these assessments. For animal protection organizations interested garnering public support for animal welfare legislation, the study confirms the notion, contended by some, that graphic presentation of animal abuse is the most effective way to get public response.

Click here to read the full article.

Posted on February 10, 2010 at 04:25 pm -- Author's Site

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