If you’re a dog owner, then you are probably a person who is more comfortable with taking risks. This is what a recent study showed.
In a study conducted by scientists from the University of Massachusetts, the University of South Carolina, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, it was shown that dog owners are more open to risky behaviors than cat owners. The study showed that cat owners are more cautious and more averse when it comes to taking risks. The study even highlighted how US states with more cat owners, like Vermont, have fewer COVID-19 cases than states with more dog owners like North Dakota. The study aimed to explore such statistics.
In a study entitled The Pet Exposure Effect: Exploring the Differential Impact of Dogs Versus Cats on Consumer Mindsets, scientists did multiple tests to see the difference in the behavior of dog owners and cat owners. One test showed different ads to dog owners and cat owners. The test revealed that cat owners react more positively when they’re shown ads that emphasize risk aversion.
Another test involved giving participants an imaginary $2,000. They were asked to invest it and dog owners were shown to invest more in risky stocks than cat owners who preferred conservative stocks.
The study also showed that exposure to dogs can make participants more likely to invest more money in stocks.
The research is groundbreaking because pets play an important role in our lives. Knowing how they affect our behavior can give us clues on how to better behave and live well. In the US alone, 70% of households have at least one pet. 50% of such households have dogs while 40% have cats. Knowing
clearly that your pet and your kind of pet can affect your behavior can significantly help in ensuring that you’re always in control of your lifestyle choices.
Credits: SAGE Journals