Human-animal bond

This resource page contains notes about theories and research on the bonding between humans and animals.

Theoretical perspectives
A single theory seems to be incapable of encompassing the effects of human bonding with animals. A unitary theory on the complexity of the human-animal relationship has yet to be established (Brown, 2004).
 * Evolutionary
 * Biophilia hypothesis
 * Anthropomorphism
 * Social support theory
 * Existential: Sartre (1967) reviewed the psychological desire of humans to have contact with animals; the evidence suggests this strong desire may be the result of changes in ontological security. Ontological security is knowing, without conscious awareness that the key areas of an individual’s life are stable and predictable.

Research evidence
Havener, Gentes, Thaler, Megel, Baun, Driscoll, Beiraghi and Agrawal (2001) carried out research on companion animals and their effectiveness in relieving distress in children undergoing various types of dental work. Forty children aged between 7 and 11 years old were chosen as this age group represented Piaget’s concrete-operational stage. The aim was to distract half the children with a dog whilst undergoing a dental procedure, each child being held by the dental nurse and their head harnessed. Sessions were videotaped and data collected prior to, during and after the procedure. Havener et al (2001) discovered that the presence of a dog did not affect behavioural distress, although they did find physiological arousal was lessened for the children already stressed prior to the actual procedure. This study concluded that distress caused by a visit to the dentist was not reduced by a dog companion however it did indicate that the dog had a calming affect prior to the event.

Gallery
Examples of human-animal contact - can you add some more? e.g., from 1, 2, 3

Psychology 102
Currently, this is a Psychology 102 resource page for the essay question: "What are the human psychological effects of contact with animals? Discuss with reference to psychological theories and research." See also:
 * 1) Moodle discussion about this topic
 * 2) Some starting links:
 * 3) http://delicious.com/jtneill/animalpsychology
 * 4) http://delicious.com/jtneill/humananimalpsychology

Good essays tended to...

 * 1) Explain at least two theories (often biophilia and social support)
 * 2) Balance and integrate discussion of theory and research evidence
 * 3) Consider positive, null and negative effects of animal contact

Less good essays tended to....

 * 1) Utilise only one main theory (often biophilia)
 * 2) Focus mostly on research evidence and to provide relatively little consideration of theory
 * 3) Focus on positive effects with relatively little mention of null and/or negative effects of animal contact