Companion Animals & Theories of Human-Animal Relationships

Question 1

What is a companion

Answer 1

A person or animal with whom one spends a lot of time or travels with

Question 2

What is the ASPCA

Answer 2

American Society of Protection and Cruelty Against Animals

Question 3

What are the 4 needs of Companion Animals

Answer 3

Physical, Behavioural, Emotional, Social

Question 4

What species are suitable for companion animals

Answer 4

Domesticated or Domestic-bred Animals: dogs, cats, horse, rabbits, livestock

Question 5

What species are unsuitable for companion animals?

Answer 5

Wild and Hybrid Animals (ex. Savannah cat)

Birds: not a good companion animal because they are likely to outlive the owner

Question 6

Define the Human-Animal Bond

Answer 6

A dynamic relationship between people and other animals that can be mutually beneficial, but can also create negative consequences for both

Question 7

What are the benefits and consequences of the human-animal bond

Answer 7

influences to the emotional, psychological, physical health, and well being of the human and animal.

Question 8

What is a Theorem

Answer 8

A statement of a theory, considered proven

Question 9

What is a theory

Answer 9

A proven statement

Question 10

what is a hypothesis

Answer 10

a testable prediction of a statement of facts

Question 11

What are the four ways to generate theories

Answer 11

1. Inductive Theory
2. Deductive Theory
3. Functional Theory
4. Model Theory

Question 12

What is Inductive Theory

Answer 12

Bases on Data Generation, the information you find in databases/surveys

Used to develop new theoretical principles

observation - generalization - theory

Question 13

What is Deductive Theory

Answer 13

observations that generate new research

theory - predictions - experiment

Question 14

What is functional theory

Answer 14

a combination of inductive and deductive theories

Question 15

What is model theory

Answer 15

analogous to another concept identified in another field
observations to something already found in nature

ex) comparing an eye to a camera

Question 16

What are experimental designs

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

What is Biophilia

Answer 17

• 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

Question 18

What is the Social Support Theory

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

Explain social support in a seniors home

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What is the Self-Psychology Theory

Answer 20

we are 2 parts: self & self-object

Question 21

Define Self

Answer 21

the psychological structure of a persons personality

Question 22

Define Self-Object

Answer 22

objects from environment surroundings (things, people, experiences, ideas) that influence the self
-made outside the self

Question 23

What makes something an object

Answer 23

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)

Question 24

what are 3 types of selfobjects

Answer 24

1. Mirror Selfobject
2. Idealizable Selfobjects
3. Alter-ego selfobjects

Question 25

What is Mirror Selfobject

Answer 25

• 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

Question 26

What is idealizable selfobjects

Answer 26

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

Question 27

what is alter-ego self objects

Answer 27

• 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

Question 28

What is collecting & when does it become a pathology

Answer 28

• egosyntonic leisure activity that provides psychological benefit to its participant
• becomes a pathology when it impacts your normal behaviour (hoarders)

Question 29

What are some human-animal bond pathologies

Answer 29

• hoarders
• OCD
• OCPD
• Dementia

Question 30

what is OCD

Answer 30

obsessive compulsive disorder

-intrusive thoughts that produce repetitive behaviours aimed at reducing the associated anxiety

Question 31

what is OCPD

Answer 31

disorder of preoccupation for perfection

-obsessed with the process of getting to perfection

Question 32

Characteristics of Animal Hoarders

Answer 32

• main pathology of human-animal bond
• is a pathology of kindness but has detrimental effects on the animals

1. accumulates a large number of animals in the presence of deteriorating household conditions
2. fails to provide nutrition, sanitation and veterinary care. Inability to recognize the effect of failed welfare on the animals
3. consider their pets children, thinks no one else can take adequate care of them
4. fear that animals will be euthanized

Question 33

What does ASPCA say about animal hoarding

Answer 33

“hoarding is at once a complex animal cruelty issue, mental health issue, and public safety issue”

Question 34

Can an animal hoarder be an animal breeder

Answer 34

No, because a breeder is able to provide proper environment and care to raise animals

Question 35

can an animal breeder be an animal hoarder

Answer 35

Yes

Question 36

What did Philippe Pinel do?

Answer 36

• coined the term “Mania without Delirium.”

- basically made the link of people hurting animals to murderers

Question 37

What is Conduct Disorder

Answer 37

• 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

Question 38

What is animal cruelty a indicator of

Answer 38

family violence or family problems; can manifest into animal cruelty

Question 39

Why are parents abusing animals?

Answer 39

it is a form of control that modifies the child’s behaviour by scaring them

Question 40

what is the demographic of animal abuse

Answer 40

• 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