The Relationship Between Humane Interactions with Animals, Empathy, and Prosocial Behavior among Children

Wice, Matthew; Goyal, Namrata; Forsyth, Nicole Y; Noel, Karly

doi:10.1079/hai.2020.0006

Cited by 3 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 17 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The findings also suggest that having a dog/other pet ownership does not predict prosocial behaviors, again suggesting that if any relationship does exist between pet ownership and prosocial behaviors, relationship quality may be a key factor to assess (Vidović et al, 1999; Wenden et al, 2021; Wice et al, 2020). Further, contrary to what prior research has indicated (e.g., Daly & Morton, 2003; Vidović et al, 1999), we did not find significant differences between pet species and prosocial behavior.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This relationship has been found for pets generally, but the effect appears to be particularly strong for those living with dogs (Christian et al, 2020;Vidović et al, 1999;Wenden et al, 2021;Wice et al, 2020). Companion animals may be supportive of developing prosocial behavior in youth through practice with positive social interactions and the development of empathy, which is in-turn associated with prosocial behavior (Wice et al, 2020). Similarly, through the development of these skills, youth with pets may be less likely to engage in negative social behaviors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Within the context of pets within the home specifically, frequent interaction with companion animals has been associated with greater empathy, which in-turn is associated with prosocial behavior (Wice et al, 2020). Prior research has found associations between attitudes toward pets and prosocial behavior in adolescents (Jacobson & Chang, 2018) as well as attachment to pets and empathy and prosocial orientation in children and adolescents (Vidović et al, 1999).…”

Section: Companion Animals and Youth Prosocial Behaviorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Companion animal relationships have been associated in prior research with increases in prosocial behavior and decreases of socioemotional difficulties for children and adolescents (Christian et al, 2020; Vidović et al, 1999; Wenden et al, 2021; Wice et al, 2020). This relationship has been found for pets generally, but the effect appears to be particularly strong for those living with dogs (Christian et al, 2020; Vidović et al, 1999; Wenden et al, 2021; Wice et al, 2020). Companion animals may be supportive of developing prosocial behavior in youth through practice with positive social interactions and the development of empathy, which is in‐turn associated with prosocial behavior (Wice et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Companion animals and profiles of peer social behavior in adolescence

Halbreich

Callina

King

et al. 2023

Journal of Adolescence

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction Relationships with companion animals have been associated with higher levels of prosocial behavior and lower levels of socioemotional difficulties for children and adolescents. Companion animals may be supportive of developing prosocial behavior in youth through practice with positive social interactions and the development of empathy and reciprocity skills. The goal of this study was to use a person‐centered approach to investigate if living with a pet (including pet species) is associated with profiles of adolescent peer social behaviors (i.e., prosocial, aggressive), and size of their peer network. Methods This study used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study®, a large, nationally representative data set of American adolescents. Results In a cross‐sectional sample of 5218 adolescents, we found that youth clustered into four different distinct profiles of peer social behavior. Female youth living with dogs were less likely to be in the High Aggression profile as compared to youth without pets or youth with other types of pets. However, having a pet was not associated with whether youth were in the profiles characterized by prosocial behaviors or size of peer network. Conclusions Overall, future research should explore how gender intersects with companion animal interactions—both in terms of frequency of interactions as well as relationship quality/emotional attachment—as well as examine these relationships over time to assess causality.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Section: Companion Animals and Youth Prosocial Behaviorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Companion animals and profiles of peer social behavior in adolescence

Halbreich

Callina

King

et al. 2023

Journal of Adolescence

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Pet attachment and prosocial attitude toward humans: the mediating role of empathy to animals

Faner,

Dalangin,

De Leon

et al. 2024

Front. Psychol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Attachment relationships are widely recognized as influential in increasing prosocial tendencies, with existing literature indicating that human attachment can increase empathetic processes, thereby potentially facilitating prosocial behavior. Given that pets frequently fulfill the criteria for attachment figures, this study investigates whether the observed associations among human attachment, empathy, and prosocial attitudes extend to human-animal interactions (HAI). This study examines the relationship between pet attachment, animal empathy, and prosocial attitudes toward humans. The study hypothesizes that animal empathy mediates the association between pet attachment and prosocial attitudes. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 343 Filipino participants, predominantly consisting of single female young adults with college education backgrounds. Participants completed a battery of assessments including the Contemporary Companion Animal Bonding Scale (CCABS), the Animal Empathy Scale (AES), and the Prosocialness Scale for Adults (PSA). Aligned with our hypothesis, our study reveals that animal empathy plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between pet attachment and attitudes toward humans. We found that stronger pet attachment correlates positively with heightened animal empathy, subsequently leading to elevated levels of prosocial attitudes. Our findings prompt discussions on implications for understanding human-animal relationships and suggest avenues for future research exploration.

show abstract

The Impact of a School Dog on Children’s Social Inclusion and Social Climate in a School Class

Mombeck,

Albers

2023

EJIHPE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Animal-assisted pedagogy is well known in classroom practice, but scientific evidence of its impact on teaching and learning conditions is still lacking. At the same time, the biggest challenge in education systems worldwide is the social inclusion of students. In a pre–post design, 30 heterogeneous students (16 f/14 m) from four different school classes (grades 5–8) of two secondary schools and one grammar school were interviewed (in a problem-centered interview) about their social inclusion and their social climate in class before and after being taught selected subjects with a school dog for one school term. At the second measurement point, participants were also asked about their perception of animal-assisted pedagogy. The qualitative data analysis (Kuckartz) showed that the presence of a dog leads to an improved social climate, more social integration and to a change in social roles; therefore, we discussed our findings in the context of role theory (Krappmann). In addition, we found that the mutual perception of the other students and the teacher changes to a more positive and friendlier image. Through animal-assisted pedagogy, a new social role is added to the classroom, where caring and bonding are prioritized. Social interaction and norms are influenced and stereotypical and individual roles can be changed. Therefore, animal-assisted pedagogy can be key to promoting social inclusion in the school environment.

show abstract

The Relationship Between Humane Interactions with Animals, Empathy, and Prosocial Behavior among Children

Cited by 3 publications

References 17 publications

Companion animals and profiles of peer social behavior in adolescence

Companion animals and profiles of peer social behavior in adolescence

Pet attachment and prosocial attitude toward humans: the mediating role of empathy to animals

The Impact of a School Dog on Children’s Social Inclusion and Social Climate in a School Class

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About