Have you ever seen a baby and a dog interact with each other? If so, you’ll know that there’s something undeniably special about the bond that exists between the two. A recent study conducted by the University of Michigan sheds light on this connection, revealing that there might be an innate tendency for human children to communicate and empathize with dogs.
Understanding Empathy in Children
The study, which took place between 2015 and 2020, analyzed the way toddlers react to unfamiliar dogs when they are in distress. 97 children aged 2 or 3 years participated in the study, with 44 of them having dogs as pets. The results showed that half of the time, the children would assist a dog if it indicated that it wanted a toy or treat that was out of reach. This highlights that children have the capacity for empathy and altruism toward animals outside of their own species.
According to Henry Wellman, co-author of the study and the Harold W. Stevenson Collegiate Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Michigan, “It’s been known for a long time that toddlers will go out of their way to help struggling humans, even strangers. But perhaps such altruism is specially evolved for and targeted toward other humans (who after all might help them back). But no, it applies to other animals too, like dogs they will never see again.”
Babies and Dogs: A Special Connection
This study raises questions about children’s ability to empathize with other animals, such as cats, horses, sheep, ducks, and pigs. Rachna Reddy, the lead author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow in evolutionary anthropology at Duke University, says that “These findings lend support to our hypothesis that children’s early-developing proclivities for goal-reading and prosociality extend beyond humans to other animals.”
Humans and dogs have a special relationship that goes back to the prehistoric era. This connection has been studied by scientists in many ways, and it’s been proven that dogs are capable of understanding human facial expressions, and they even shed tears of joy when they feel happy. When dogs and their pet parents look into each other’s eyes, the canine’s oxytocin levels rise, which is a hormone that makes them feel good.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the bond between babies and dogs is truly special. The results of this study highlight the incredible capacity for empathy and altruism that children have, not just towards humans, but towards animals too. Whether it’s a shared history or just a natural connection, it’s clear that the power of paws holds a unique place in our hearts.