This study investigated the potential of using a computer-simulated animal in a handheld virtual pet videogame to improve children's empathy and humane attitudes. Also investigated was whether sex differences existed in children's development of empathy and humane attitudes resulting from play, as well as their feelings for a virtual pet. The results showed that after playing Nintendogs for 3 weeks, the participants of both sexes, on average, scored higher levels of empathy on the Bryant Empathy Index, and had higher levels of humane attitudes on the Intermediate Attitude Scale, compared to their pretest scores before they played. A statistical association also was revealed between time playing with a computer-simulated animal and improved scores in empathy and humane attitudes toward animals. The findings also showed that participants tended to form emotional attachments with their virtual pet and considered it a real pet.

Previous research by Kaufman (2010a, 2010b) has suggested that computer-simulated virtual pet dogs can be used as a potential medium to enhance children's development of empathy and humane attitudes toward animals. To gain a deeper understanding of how and why interacting with a virtual pet dog might influence children's social and emotional development, this study gathered detailed data regarding the effects of play duration and types of play interaction on the enhancement of children's empathy and humane attitudes. Quantitative findings revealed that participants who spent more time playing with their virtual pet tended to have higher humane attitude scores. In addition, play interaction that involved competing with a virtual pet dog was associated with higher empathy and humane attitude scores, and the reported number of incidents of care provided was associated with higher humane attitude scores. Qualitative findings showed that the participants built an emotional bond with their virtual pet dogs and that many participants believed that the virtual dogs had their own interests and personalities. Many participants tended to base activities they would like to do with their virtual pet dogs on what they perceived to be the virtual pet dog's interests and needs.Research studies have shown that children's development of humane attitudes and empathy can be enhanced through training. An important purpose of training in

Children who care for real pet animals have shown higher levels of empathy and positive attitudes toward the humane treatment of animals. However, only a limited number of studies have examined whether caring for a virtual pet would have similar associations. This study investigated the question of whether a handheld virtual pet videogame can improve children’s empathy and humane attitudes. The results showed that after playing Nintendogs® for three weeks, participants showed higher levels of empathy on the Bryant Empathy Index, and had higher levels of humane attitudes on the Intermediate Attitude Scale, compared to their scores before they played.

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