Communication as a Tool for Exhibiting Prosocial Behavior in Dogs
Studies suggest that dogs exhibit prosocial behaviors toward humans and can rescue their guardians trapped in a box. We investigated whether dogs could communicate with an experimenter to gain access to a crying actor (the crying condition) who was visible but inaccessible, as she remained behind a...
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MDPI AG
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/21/3091 |
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| author | Carolina Generoso Briseida Resende Natalia Albuquerque Michaella P. Andrade Carine Savalli |
| author_facet | Carolina Generoso Briseida Resende Natalia Albuquerque Michaella P. Andrade Carine Savalli |
| author_sort | Carolina Generoso |
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| description | Studies suggest that dogs exhibit prosocial behaviors toward humans and can rescue their guardians trapped in a box. We investigated whether dogs could communicate with an experimenter to gain access to a crying actor (the crying condition) who was visible but inaccessible, as she remained behind a fence throughout the test, or when she was simply speaking (the neutral condition). This experimenter was positioned to allow access to the actor, and the dog was free to move within the environment. Our findings indicate that dogs alternated their gazes more frequently between the actor and the experimenter, as well as between the actor and the dog’s guardian when the inaccessible actor was crying. Furthermore, the number of gazes at the guardian and the actor, as well as the duration of gazing at the actor, were greater in the crying condition. Dogs also remained closer to the actor during the crying condition. Our results suggest the dog made more communicative signals in the crying condition, bringing to light the possibility that this communication was being used as a tool to exhibit prosocial behaviors toward the actor. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a873fd0796de4122921e64d76fa845e9 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-a873fd0796de4122921e64d76fa845e92025-08-20T02:13:12ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-10-011421309110.3390/ani14213091Communication as a Tool for Exhibiting Prosocial Behavior in DogsCarolina Generoso0Briseida Resende1Natalia Albuquerque2Michaella P. Andrade3Carine Savalli4Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Mello Moraes 1721, São Paulo 05508-030, São Paulo, BrazilDepartment of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Mello Moraes 1721, São Paulo 05508-030, São Paulo, BrazilDepartment of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Mello Moraes 1721, São Paulo 05508-030, São Paulo, BrazilGraduate Program in Evolution and Diversity, Federal University of ABC, Av. dos Estados, 5001, Bairro Bangu, Santo André 09210-580, São Paulo, BrazilDepartment of Public Policies and Collective Health, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Silva Jardim 136, Santos 11015-020, São Paulo, BrazilStudies suggest that dogs exhibit prosocial behaviors toward humans and can rescue their guardians trapped in a box. We investigated whether dogs could communicate with an experimenter to gain access to a crying actor (the crying condition) who was visible but inaccessible, as she remained behind a fence throughout the test, or when she was simply speaking (the neutral condition). This experimenter was positioned to allow access to the actor, and the dog was free to move within the environment. Our findings indicate that dogs alternated their gazes more frequently between the actor and the experimenter, as well as between the actor and the dog’s guardian when the inaccessible actor was crying. Furthermore, the number of gazes at the guardian and the actor, as well as the duration of gazing at the actor, were greater in the crying condition. Dogs also remained closer to the actor during the crying condition. Our results suggest the dog made more communicative signals in the crying condition, bringing to light the possibility that this communication was being used as a tool to exhibit prosocial behaviors toward the actor.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/21/3091communicationdogsempathysocial cognition |
| spellingShingle | Carolina Generoso Briseida Resende Natalia Albuquerque Michaella P. Andrade Carine Savalli Communication as a Tool for Exhibiting Prosocial Behavior in Dogs Animals communication dogs empathy social cognition |
| title | Communication as a Tool for Exhibiting Prosocial Behavior in Dogs |
| title_full | Communication as a Tool for Exhibiting Prosocial Behavior in Dogs |
| title_fullStr | Communication as a Tool for Exhibiting Prosocial Behavior in Dogs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Communication as a Tool for Exhibiting Prosocial Behavior in Dogs |
| title_short | Communication as a Tool for Exhibiting Prosocial Behavior in Dogs |
| title_sort | communication as a tool for exhibiting prosocial behavior in dogs |
| topic | communication dogs empathy social cognition |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/21/3091 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT carolinageneroso communicationasatoolforexhibitingprosocialbehaviorindogs AT briseidaresende communicationasatoolforexhibitingprosocialbehaviorindogs AT nataliaalbuquerque communicationasatoolforexhibitingprosocialbehaviorindogs AT michaellapandrade communicationasatoolforexhibitingprosocialbehaviorindogs AT carinesavalli communicationasatoolforexhibitingprosocialbehaviorindogs |