Comments on: Pets are people http://cultureby.com/2004/06/pets_are_people.html This Blog Sits At the Intersection of Anthropology and Economics Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:43:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Susan Kuchinskas http://cultureby.com/2004/06/pets_are_people.html/comment-page-1#comment-7991 Susan Kuchinskas Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:32:00 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1192#comment-7991 As we learn more about the human attachment system -- that is, the brain activity and neurochemicals involved in forming relationships including love and trust -- it seems that it's not so much that we are conferring personhood on animals. Rather, our bonds with animals are no different than our bonds with other humans. Bonds with both are likely the result of a release of oxytocin into the parts of the brain that handle social relationships. Moreover, dogs -- and very likely, most other pet mammals -- may experience an almost identical oxytocin release in the social areas of their brains, which are not very different from ours. See: Neurophysiological correlates of affiliative behaviour between humans and dogs. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12672376?dopt=Abstract and Dog's Gaze at Owner Increases Urinary Oxytocin During Social Interaction http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19124024 As we learn more about the human attachment system — that is, the brain activity and neurochemicals involved in forming relationships including love and trust — it seems that it’s not so much that we are conferring personhood on animals. Rather, our bonds with animals are no different than our bonds with other humans. Bonds with both are likely the result of a release of oxytocin into the parts of the brain that handle social relationships.

Moreover, dogs — and very likely, most other pet mammals — may experience an almost identical oxytocin release in the social areas of their brains, which are not very different from ours.

See:

Neurophysiological correlates of affiliative behaviour between humans and dogs.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12672376?dopt=Abstract

and

Dog’s Gaze at Owner Increases Urinary Oxytocin During Social Interaction
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19124024

]]> By: Robin http://cultureby.com/2004/06/pets_are_people.html/comment-page-1#comment-7990 Robin Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:45:46 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1192#comment-7990 My dog definitely knows what certain words mean, such as "bacon," "cheese," "out," "off," or, "find [insert family member name or pet name here]," and she'll communicate to me certain things, such as that she wants me to turn on the faucet for a drink, or she wants / needs to go out. It's not English or ASL, but it is conversational to some limited extent. I don't confuse her nor my cats as being human, but I provide for them what I believe I should as their adoptive parent. (Yes, I shoo bugs and spiders out of my home instead of crunching them, and don't eat flesh foods.) Some DO treat their animals way overboard, and to the disregard of other humans. I believe God wishes us to care for all, and wish none would ever be tortured, starved, or homeless. Interesting about the elephant video which I'm too squemish to watch. My dog definitely knows what certain words mean, such as “bacon,” “cheese,” “out,” “off,” or, “find [insert family member name or pet name here],” and she’ll communicate to me certain things, such as that she wants me to turn on the faucet for a drink, or she wants / needs to go out. It’s not English or ASL, but it is conversational to some limited extent. I don’t confuse her nor my cats as being human, but I provide for them what I believe I should as their adoptive parent. (Yes, I shoo bugs and spiders out of my home instead of crunching them, and don’t eat flesh foods.) Some DO treat their animals way overboard, and to the disregard of other humans. I believe God wishes us to care for all, and wish none would ever be tortured, starved, or homeless. Interesting about the elephant video which I’m too squemish to watch.

]]> By: nick gogerty http://cultureby.com/2004/06/pets_are_people.html/comment-page-1#comment-7989 nick gogerty Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:22:26 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1192#comment-7989 the tendancy to anthropomorphize isn't just limited to animals. A surprising number of Roomba robotic vacum cleaners name them as well. We are social animals, to such a degree we extend the "society" to pretty much anything... the tendancy to anthropomorphize isn’t just limited to animals. A surprising number of Roomba robotic vacum cleaners name them as well. We are social animals, to such a degree we extend the “society” to pretty much anything…

]]> By: A Key http://cultureby.com/2004/06/pets_are_people.html/comment-page-1#comment-7988 A Key Sat, 01 Dec 2007 10:01:50 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1192#comment-7988 Female cats are preferred because they are friendlier and less predatorial not because of a concept that cats are female. I don't know why male dogs are preferred; perhaps, they are more protective. Also, marketing is changing to accommodate pet owners, including the sale of homes with pet showers, just as an example. Female cats are preferred because they are friendlier and less predatorial not because of a concept that cats are female. I don’t know why male dogs are preferred; perhaps, they are more protective. Also, marketing is changing to accommodate pet owners, including the sale of homes with pet showers, just as an example.

]]> By: Diane Francis http://cultureby.com/2004/06/pets_are_people.html/comment-page-1#comment-7992 Diane Francis Wed, 24 Oct 2007 11:09:56 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1192#comment-7992 <strong>Rich Getting Richer and Crazier: Why They Hate US</strong> GDP/PET HIGHER IN NORTH AMERICA AND EU THAN GDP/PERSON ELSEWHERE A dog hair piece on "Sweeties" August Rich Getting Richer and Crazier: Why They Hate US

GDP/PET HIGHER IN NORTH AMERICA AND EU THAN GDP/PERSON ELSEWHERE A dog hair piece on “Sweeties” August

]]> By: Diane Francis http://cultureby.com/2004/06/pets_are_people.html/comment-page-1#comment-7993 Diane Francis Sun, 14 Oct 2007 16:41:03 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1192#comment-7993 <strong>Rich Getting Richer and Crazier: Why They Hate US</strong> GDP/PET HIGHER IN NORTH AMERICA AND EU THAN GDP/PERSON ELSEWHERE A dog hair piece on "Sweeties" August Rich Getting Richer and Crazier: Why They Hate US

GDP/PET HIGHER IN NORTH AMERICA AND EU THAN GDP/PERSON ELSEWHERE A dog hair piece on “Sweeties” August

]]> By: Diane Francis http://cultureby.com/2004/06/pets_are_people.html/comment-page-1#comment-7994 Diane Francis Sun, 14 Oct 2007 10:08:15 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1192#comment-7994 <strong>Rich Getting Richer and Crazier: Why They Hate US</strong> GDP/PET HIGHER IN NORTH AMERICA AND EU THAN GDP/PERSON ELSEWHERE A dog hair piece on "Sweeties" August Rich Getting Richer and Crazier: Why They Hate US

GDP/PET HIGHER IN NORTH AMERICA AND EU THAN GDP/PERSON ELSEWHERE A dog hair piece on “Sweeties” August

]]> By: Diane Francis http://cultureby.com/2004/06/pets_are_people.html/comment-page-1#comment-7995 Diane Francis Sun, 14 Oct 2007 10:04:22 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1192#comment-7995 <strong>Rich Getting Richer and Crazier: Why They Hate US</strong> GDP/PET HIGHER IN NORTH AMERICA AND EU THAN GDP/PERSON ELSEWHERE Ruth Regina places a dog hair piece Rich Getting Richer and Crazier: Why They Hate US

GDP/PET HIGHER IN NORTH AMERICA AND EU THAN GDP/PERSON ELSEWHERE Ruth Regina places a dog hair piece

]]> By: AnarCapLib http://cultureby.com/2004/06/pets_are_people.html/comment-page-1#comment-7996 AnarCapLib Sat, 26 Jun 2004 07:51:54 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1192#comment-7996 <strong>Pets as persons</strong> We have two dogs in the family (both bitches) and I love them. Well, not as much as the others in my family who spoil them rotten. I often am the only dog-disciplinarian in the house. The way my parents... Pets as persons

We have two dogs in the family (both bitches) and I love them. Well, not as much as the others in my family who spoil them rotten. I often am the only dog-disciplinarian in the house. The way my parents…

]]> By: Grant http://cultureby.com/2004/06/pets_are_people.html/comment-page-1#comment-7987 Grant Mon, 21 Jun 2004 15:45:51 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1192#comment-7987 Steve, Geertz's comment is about how we define the person, not animals. And you are right, lots of other cultures endow animals with a variety of non-animal properties. What's maybe striking about our culture is that our animals are not endowed with our collective cultural meanings, but with highly individuated, individualizing ones. Other cultures make them Gods. We make them companions. But then that's us, isn't it? Thanks, Grant Steve, Geertz’s comment is about how we define the person, not animals. And you are right, lots of other cultures endow animals with a variety of non-animal properties. What’s maybe striking about our culture is that our animals are not endowed with our collective cultural meanings, but with highly individuated, individualizing ones. Other cultures make them Gods. We make them companions. But then that’s us, isn’t it? Thanks, Grant

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