In news that will surprise exactly zero dog owners who talk to their pets, one researcher has come forward to say it actually indicates how intelligent humans are as a species. For ages now, anthropomorphism has been a strange sort of bone of contention between people. Projecting human traits and emotions onto an animal or inanimate object…treating it like a person…is anthropomorphism. And for some people, it’s like nails on a chalkboard. Think of Reese Witherspoon’s ditzy (but not really!) character in Legally Blonde, fawning over her little Chihuahua. In one camp you have the people who feel that is just not something humans should do, that we are a totally different species and that dogs don’t even understand us anyway. And then there are the people who just relate to their pets on a whole different level. It doesn’t seem there is any room for compromise between these camps. The pet talkers are in their own little world, chatting up their furbabies, and the non-pet-talkers are cringing, shaking their heads at these weirdos.
Well, non-talkers, one researcher’s mind is made up. Professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago, Nicholas Epley, says, “Historically, anthropomorphizing has been treated as a sign of childishness or stupidity, but it’s actually a natural byproduct of the tendency that makes humans uniquely smart on this planet. No other species has this tendency.” So, while it might make some wince, it’s actually something that sets us apart as humans.
Talk To Pets. It Does A Body Good.
On certain levels, these findings make a lot of sense. As they say, there are two kinds of intelligence: “book smarts” and “street smarts”. And, while providing Fido with gentle belly rubs and stories of your morning bus commute will not make you suddenly understand quantum physics, it certainly will give you a sense for another sentient being having a response to your words and gestures. Understanding the projection of your voice and the emotion carried in it.
There is a lot of intelligence in emotion, and in reading the cues of others. That’s street smarts.
What’s Good For The Goose…
Speaking of reading the cues of others, your dog gets something out of it too, when you talk to them. They have a chance to see and hear you in a variety of normal, everyday ways. So they get to know your emotions, voice inflections and gestures too. They assimilate this information and can respond better to you. Instead of just commanding them with a “sit” or “stay”, you’re really engaging with them.
You’re living your life around them. In this light, it’s easy to see how engaging with them (as opposed to commanding them) could be helping them evolve into more intelligent beings. For ages, man’s best friend has been growing and changing alongside us, becoming more and more of a Good Boy.
So this is just one more reason why talking to your pet is so intelligent! You’re helping the furry one get smarter and more observant. Helping them get better at anticipating your needs, and learning how they can be of loyal service to you.
Our pets occupy significant places in our hearts and lives, and if talking to them is wrong, who wants to be right?
