THE INFLUENCE OF COMPANION ANIMALS ON OWNER PERCEPTION - GENDER AND SPECIES EFFECTS

There is some evidence that the presence of a companion animal influen ces perceptions of the psychological attributes of its owner The prese nt study investigated how these effects vary by pet species and owner gender. A sample of 542 students rated slides of a man or woman accomp anied by a cat; a dog or alone using 36 adjectives. These adjectives w ere subsequently grouped into four clusters labelled 'Nice', 'Nasty', 'Style' and 'Action', Statistical analyses revealed that the female ta rget person was rated as significantly nicer; more stylish and more ac tive with the dog than with the cat. The male tal-get person was rated as nicer; more stylish and more active with the cat than the dog. ?th is pattern was contrary to that hypothesized, which was based on tradi tional gender and human-pet stereotypes. Discussion focuses on the cha nging nature of gender stereotypes and the resulting complexity of own er-pet perceptions.