Companion Animals & Theories of Human-Animal Relationships Flashcards
What is a companion
A person or animal with whom one spends a lot of time or travels with
What is the ASPCA
American Society of Protection and Cruelty Against Animals
What are the 4 needs of Companion Animals
Physical, Behavioural, Emotional, Social
What species are suitable for companion animals
Domesticated or Domestic-bred Animals: dogs, cats, horse, rabbits, livestock
What species are unsuitable for companion animals?
Wild and Hybrid Animals (ex. Savannah cat)
Birds: not a good companion animal because they are likely to outlive the owner
Define the Human-Animal Bond
A dynamic relationship between people and other animals that can be mutually beneficial, but can also create negative consequences for both
What are the benefits and consequences of the human-animal bond
influences to the emotional, psychological, physical health, and well being of the human and animal.
What is a Theorem
A statement of a theory, considered proven
What is a theory
A proven statement
what is a hypothesis
a testable prediction of a statement of facts
What are the four ways to generate theories
- Inductive Theory
- Deductive Theory
- Functional Theory
- Model Theory
What is Inductive Theory
Bases on Data Generation, the information you find in databases/surveys
Used to develop new theoretical principles
observation - generalization - theory
What is Deductive Theory
observations that generate new research
theory - predictions - experiment
What is functional theory
a combination of inductive and deductive theories
What is model theory
analogous to another concept identified in another field
observations to something already found in nature
ex) comparing an eye to a camera
What are experimental designs
- studies need to be designed well with specific questions addressed or the outcomes can be contradictory
- identifies the purpose of having a well designed study and that the study conclusions are well thought out and represent the data that was provided
What is Biophilia
- representation of the human-animal bond and it has an effect on the biological system of either the animal or person
- adaptive
- has a beneficial response to both the animal & host
What is the Social Support Theory
- animals are a source of companionship and is important for the sense of well being and security
- the animals provide options for people to attach, nurture, and further develop networks for social interactions
Explain social support in a seniors home
The senior may have a pet that becomes the focal point of conversation, discussions, and bringing people together which improves the health & well being of the pet owner
-this is a social response
What is the Self-Psychology Theory
we are 2 parts: self & self-object
Define Self
the psychological structure of a persons personality
Define Self-Object
objects from environment surroundings (things, people, experiences, ideas) that influence the self
-made outside the self
What makes something an object
to be considered an object it must modify or maintain the inner experience of self. To be an object alone, is not an object unless it impacts self psychological experience
animals are considered objects (selfobject)
what are 3 types of selfobjects
- Mirror Selfobject
- Idealizable Selfobjects
- Alter-ego selfobjects
What is Mirror Selfobject
- others serve as a mirror that reflects back a sense of self-worth and value. Just as people use a mirror to check appearance, mirroring transference involves use of the affirming and positive responses of others to see positive traits within the self.
ex. ) hilary read poetry to her dog and when she asked if he liked it the dog would wag his tail, lick her, and jump up & down
What is idealizable selfobjects
an admired and respected selfobject: a wise powerful calm protector
-provides goals & aims of developing self
An example of this can be seen in children who run to a parent for comfort after falling and being injured. The external other is idealized as somebody who is calm and soothing when one cannot provide that on their own.
ex) hilary revealed that she spent a lot of time training her dog in obedience classes & entering them in professionally judged competitions
what is alter-ego self objects
- having likeness of another self
- people need to feel a sense of likeness with others. For example, children want to be similar to their parents and mimic the behaviors they observe
What is collecting & when does it become a pathology
- egosyntonic leisure activity that provides psychological benefit to its participant
- becomes a pathology when it impacts your normal behaviour (hoarders)
What are some human-animal bond pathologies
- hoarders
- OCD
- OCPD
- Dementia
what is OCD
obsessive compulsive disorder
-intrusive thoughts that produce repetitive behaviours aimed at reducing the associated anxiety
what is OCPD
disorder of preoccupation for perfection
-obsessed with the process of getting to perfection
Characteristics of Animal Hoarders
- main pathology of human-animal bond
- is a pathology of kindness but has detrimental effects on the animals
- accumulates a large number of animals in the presence of deteriorating household conditions
- fails to provide nutrition, sanitation and veterinary care. Inability to recognize the effect of failed welfare on the animals
- consider their pets children, thinks no one else can take adequate care of them
- fear that animals will be euthanized
What does ASPCA say about animal hoarding
“hoarding is at once a complex animal cruelty issue, mental health issue, and public safety issue”
Can an animal hoarder be an animal breeder
No, because a breeder is able to provide proper environment and care to raise animals
can an animal breeder be an animal hoarder
Yes
What did Philippe Pinel do?
- coined the term “Mania without Delirium.”
- basically made the link of people hurting animals to murderers
What is Conduct Disorder
- a psychological disorder in childhood that presents itself in repetitive behaviour in which the basic rights of others are violated
- a precursor to antisocial personality disorder
- these people lack inhibitory control, empathy, and emotional arousal and are extroverted
-these Temperamental characteristics are associated with animal cruelty
What is animal cruelty a indicator of
family violence or family problems; can manifest into animal cruelty
Why are parents abusing animals?
it is a form of control that modifies the child’s behaviour by scaring them
what is the demographic of animal abuse
- parents with lower education
- 10% male, 7% female
- association between animal abuse and violent crime has a 5.3 times increase in animal cruelty
- lack empathy
female score higher:
- score high on criminal thinking
- bully
- need to control
Men score higher:
-lack of empathy
