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In a recent online questionnaire titled the Gosling-Potter Internet Personality Project, a group of researchers, led by psychologist Sam Gosling at the University of Texas at Austin, asked thousands of volunteer participants to gauge their own personality traits in five areas: extroversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness. Respondents also were asked whether they considered themselves to be cat people or dog people.
Those who identified themselves as "dog people" were likelier to score high in the extroversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness columns. "Cat people," on the other hand, ranked higher in both neuroticism and openness, which in the context of the study meant being creative, quirky and contemplative.
"Once you know the findings, it kind of falls into place," Gosling recently told CNN. "Agreeableness and extroversion -- dogs are companionable, they hang out, they like to be with you, they like your company, whereas cats like it for as long as they want it, and then they're off."
However, Gosling was also quick to note that opposite results could just as easily read true; a dog's incessant sniffing might be considered neurotic, for example. In other words, the team's findings, which will appear in the scientific journal "Anthrozoos" should not be read into too deeply. "It means that if you knew nothing else about them," Gosling told CNN, "that would be your best guess."
Gosling claims the information could be most useful in helping people decide which pet is best for them, and in helping develop pet therapies. But that probably won't stop dog diehards or cat fanciers from using the research to support their own deeply-felt pro-dog or pro-cat preferences.
"Dog people tend to be people who feel the need for more comfort," John Holcomb, a cat-owning computer technician from South Orange, N.J., told Paw Nation. "The large majority of dog people will say dogs are better because they like to come home and get unconditional love from a dog, which is something that a cat tends not to do. So I'd say that one big difference is that dog people are more needy."
On the other side of the argument, dog people say they are the better adjusted ones. "Dog people tend to be a lot more social and cat people more loners," says Jacqueline Broner, a graphic designer in New York City. "Nearly all my cat-people friends are homebodies who like to stay in and retreat. Dog people are out every day, enjoying the fresh air."
A number of feline-favoring folks cite a cat's low-maintenance lifestyle as a bonus. "I travel a lot, and cats can take care of themselves for two days," says Leslie Deak, a patent examiner from Arlington, Va. "Plus, kitty kisses involve far less slobber than doggie kisses."
Others -- especially those who have owned both, or those whose pet ownership is determined by factors like allergies or children in the home -- take a more judicious approach.
"I think I'm both cat and dog," says Jennifer Ray, owner of Washington Avenue Post in St. Louis, Mo. Ray grew up with both types of pet, but has stuck to dogs since she developed cat allergies a few years ago. "I think that dog owners tend to be more outgoing because there are more social activities designed for dogs and their owners, like dog parks."
The study did not seek to determine whether people are drawn to animals with which they share personality traits, or whether caring for a particular kind of pet can alter a person's character.
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Aww so cute!
Cat people are independent and don't need or want continuous fawning from an animal. Cat's are as interactive, (and gentle), as you train them to be, and the only time you see a cat forcing themselves on people is one who is brain damaged. Cat's are smart and their trust and affection is earned. Cats are also low maintenance - you can leave them with enough food and water to be gone overnight, they don't have to be walked or taken outside to use the potty, and they don't have half as many genetically based medical problems as dogs. If you left a dog alone in your house for a day and a half, you wouldn't have a house when you returned.
DOG PEOPLE!!!
Great! What we need in this country is more division! Especially mindless division like dogs versus cats. I grew up with dogs and love them, but recently have been fortunate enough to live with cats who are just as affectionate as the best dogs I've known. I love 'em both! Nibble on that kibble, psychologist-desperately-trying- to-secure-tenure-type person.
I agree. You can tell by the remarks in the article and the posts following the blog. All this did was add to more division.
Geez Mark take a valium.
I agree it's silly and uncalled for. Well said Mark.
I agree because I love both cats and dogs. With cats, a lot of their overt affection depends on how they're raised. I got two 8-week old male litter-mates many years ago. I was affectionate to them from the start, using baby-talk and our own special vocabulary. I lost the last one in 2007 just a few week shy of his 22nd birthday. In cat years, that's very old, but he was still my baby.
This study is flawed because it doesn't take into consideration the third group; those of us who love cats and dogs equallly, but probably for different reasons. Are you going to take your cat with you when you need to use the ATM off-hours? Are you going to throw your 75 lb. dog over your shoulder when you want to rub your nose in their fur and hear them purr? Probably not. Cats and dogs both are great companions. I have to admit, however, that those who love cats and dogs equally tend to be equally eccentric - which isn't necessarily a bad thing. They tend to be "animal lovers" in general.
LOL Mark you are so right! If there isn't enough news.. they got dog and cat people in turmoil! lol
I prefer dogs.. always have, but I have had 2 cats in my life time and loved them too.
Bottom line... don't trust anyone who doesn't like dogs or cats..
Don't trust anyone.. that abuses either.. or any pets.. they are sub humans.. should be strung up and done away with.. makes the whole world better place to live!
Down w/ the likes of Michael Vicks.. and friends!
Why the defensiveness? It's just a humorous, lighthearted arcticle to pass some time. Geez, not the Mason-Dixon line! We are talking in general, not specifics and the bottom line is each animal caters to the specifics of the needs and characteristics of the ensuing relatoinship between the animal and the human. No rocket science here....just choosing the pet of choice for your lifestyle.
Very much a dog family here. Since I was a kid we have had everything from mutt to pedigree; St. Barnard, Chesapeake Retriever, Husky, Airedale and currently own a Irish Kerry Blue Terrier.
Dogs rule! It has always been easy to see-cat people can't be bothered but dog people are loving and kind
Oh,good grief, give us all a break here. I have two cats in my tiny place and I'm about as people oriented as one can get....Its the non-pet owners , especially those who are either nervous around or just don't like animals, period, that seem a bit odd to me...I like cats and dogs, and would like to find a bigger place where my tabby cat can have a dog buddy again...Now can we just get back to normal and chill out?Thanks!:)
Sandy, Don't believe that Dogs Rule!. I do dog rescue and right now have 17 of all kinds. About a mouth ago I rescued a cat. Now I have to re-rescue all 17 dogs from the cat!
Bummer, I thought this article was going to be about that cute cocker spaniel dog in the photo. I just wonder about all the families with dogs and cats?
That said, does any else notice that all the bozos who are telling us about "their great find" at the 'millionaire' dating sites are always some one who says they are "SINGLE AT PRESENT" ALL OF THEM.
Another crackpot like that dumb therapist.I had a dog and now have a cat, again looking to get another dog.This is just another loser trying to validate a crackpot theory.
When I saw your comment I got a good chuckle because I know a few dog people who are quite selfish and control freaks. I'm NOT saying all dog people are but trust me, there are many who prefer cats who can be just as loving and extremely giving.
Myself included.
Sandy please . I like dogs but i am a caty owner and i am a loving person who likes to be around other people and pets.
Sandy that's got to be the dumbest thing I ever heard, are you that narrowminded in all your judgments? I am the human "dad' to two beautiful rottweilers and one cattweiler (cat who thinks she's a rottweiler) I wouldn't give any of them up for anything.