#sexual-imprinting
#sexual-imprinting

Psychology

Psychology says people who let their pets sleep in their bed aren't clingy or emotionally stunted - they've found one of the only relationships in modern life that offers unconditional presence without the performance anxiety that makes human connection so exhausting - Silicon Canals

Needing comfort from pets is not a weakness; it can enhance emotional well-being and reduce anxiety.

Research suggests adults who find it easier to bond with animals than with people aren't antisocial - they're drawn to a form of connection where the terms are visible, the loyalty isn't conditional, and the relationship doesn't require them to monitor a constantly shifting set of expectations that human attachment taught them to treat as a second job - Silicon Canals

Preference for animal companionship over human interaction reflects a logical response to complex emotional histories rather than a personality flaw.

Psychology says people who let their pets sleep in their bed aren't clingy or emotionally stunted - they've found one of the only relationships in modern life that offers unconditional presence without the performance anxiety that makes human connection so exhausting - Silicon Canals

Needing comfort from pets is not a weakness; it can enhance emotional well-being and reduce anxiety.

Research suggests adults who find it easier to bond with animals than with people aren't antisocial - they're drawn to a form of connection where the terms are visible, the loyalty isn't conditional, and the relationship doesn't require them to monitor a constantly shifting set of expectations that human attachment taught them to treat as a second job - Silicon Canals

Preference for animal companionship over human interaction reflects a logical response to complex emotional histories rather than a personality flaw.

more#human-animal-bond

OMG science

fromArs Technica

Male octopuses guided through mating by female hormones

Octopuses have a unique reproductive process that involves a specialized appendage for mating, studied by scientists for the first time.

#attachment-theory

5 days ago

Pets

Psychology says people who treat their dogs like children aren't substituting the dog for human connection - they've found a relationship in which the attachment system can operate without the self-protective interference that human relationships almost always trigger, and the love that results is not lesser for its safety, it is simply the version of love that the person is most fully capable of giving without the armor on - Silicon Canals

People treating dogs like children are not compensating for something missing; they are experiencing a profound understanding of love and attachment.

fromtheconversation.com

Pets

Punch the monkey and his plushie re-create a famous psychological experiment

Harlow's 1950s experiments with rhesus monkeys demonstrated that infant attachment to caregivers is driven by comfort and physical contact rather than merely the provision of food.

5 days ago

Psychology says people who treat their dogs like children aren't substituting the dog for human connection - they've found a relationship in which the attachment system can operate without the self-protective interference that human relationships almost always trigger, and the love that results is not lesser for its safety, it is simply the version of love that the person is most fully capable of giving without the armor on - Silicon Canals

People treating dogs like children are not compensating for something missing; they are experiencing a profound understanding of love and attachment.

fromtheconversation.com

Punch the monkey and his plushie re-create a famous psychological experiment

Harlow's 1950s experiments with rhesus monkeys demonstrated that infant attachment to caregivers is driven by comfort and physical contact rather than merely the provision of food.

more#attachment-theory

OMG science

The wild science of octopus sex

Male octopuses use a specialized arm to sense female hormones for mating, compensating for the lack of vision during reproduction.

Philosophy

2 weeks ago

'Animate': How Nonhuman and Human Minds Are Inherently Linked

Humans share traits with animals and have become disconnected, wrongly believing in our superiority over them.

OMG science

Sex at arm's length? Male octopuses use specialised arm to mate, scientists find

Male octopuses use a sensory arm to detect female hormones and deliver sperm, enabling mating even without visual contact.

2 weeks ago

The Reciprocal Relationships of Pets and Their Caregivers

Cats vocalize more frequently with male caregivers, suggesting a learned behavior to attract attention.

Roam Research

These roaches form exclusive long-term relationships after eating each other's wings

Wood-feeding cockroaches exhibit pair bonding behavior, suggesting insects possess more sophisticated cognition and social capabilities than previously believed.

fromwww.dw.com

2 weeks ago

Humans and dogs scientists find new proof of ancient bond

A female puppy from 15,800 years ago in Turkey is identified as the earliest-known dog, predating the previous record by 5,000 years.

fromThe Washington Post

Why older whale dads are now winning the mating game

Older male humpback whales became more likely to father offspring as populations recovered from whaling, revealing long-term demographic consequences of hunting that persist decades after population rebound.

fromFlowingData

Bird search patterns

A comprehensive analysis of Google search patterns related to birds explores what species people seek information about most frequently. The investigation spans six interconnected analyses examining bird variety, taxonomic classifications, information sharing behaviors, birder sighting correlations with search trends, regional popularity differences across states, and temporal patterns in search interest.

Data science

Philosophy

fromThe Conversation

What's it like to be a bat? Scientists develop new solution to the puzzle of animal minds

A new 'teleonome' framework evaluates animal welfare by understanding each species' evolutionary needs rather than isolated physiological measurements.

#animal-communication

What mating call do YOU find most appealing? Take the test

Humans and animals share remarkably similar preferences for mating calls, with people consistently choosing the same calls that females of various species prefer.

What animal are you? Humans and animals tend to like the same mating calls

Humans and animals tend to prefer the same mating calls, suggesting humans are more attuned to animal acoustic signals than previously understood.

What mating call do YOU find most appealing? Take the test

Humans and animals share remarkably similar preferences for mating calls, with people consistently choosing the same calls that females of various species prefer.

more#animal-communication

What animal are you? Humans and animals tend to like the same mating calls

Humans and animals tend to prefer the same mating calls, suggesting humans are more attuned to animal acoustic signals than previously understood.

fromJezebel

Why Birds Around the World All Seem to Be Collecting Cigarettes

Birds worldwide collect cigarette butts for potential pest-repelling benefits despite the toxic nature of the material.

The Real Science of Smell and Attraction

Unlike sight or sound, smell has a direct pathway to the amygdala and hippocampus-the regions involved in emotion and autobiographical memory. Because of this connection, memories triggered by scent are often more vivid and emotionally intense than those triggered by sight.

Psychology

The pet I'll never forget: Penny, the pigeon who never left my side

A rescued pigeon named Penny imprinted on her rescuer Hannah and remained her constant companion despite multiple attempts to reintegrate her with other pigeons.

Animal Consciousness: Behavioral Flexibility is Ubiquitous

Consciousness exists across diverse species including insects, demonstrating that humans are not uniquely conscious and behavioral flexibility indicates sentience in nonhuman animals.

#monogamy

Science

What monogamy in the animal world tells us about ourselves

Relationships

Why is monogamy in crisis? The animal kingdom could give us some clues | Elle Hunt

Science

What monogamy in the animal world tells us about ourselves

Relationships

Why is monogamy in crisis? The animal kingdom could give us some clues | Elle Hunt

My Sister-in-Law Is Making an Unhinged Demand Because My Son "Ruined" Her Parrot

Refuse to take responsibility for rehoming the parrot; the adopter must handle care, research responsibilities, or find an appropriate rescue or new owner.

Environment

Experience: I live as a crane

Raising crane chicks in full crane-costumes prevents human imprinting, teaches natural behaviors, reduces interaction, and prepares chicks for eventual release into the wild.

US politics

fromFuturism

Man Trains Crows to Attack MAGA Hats

A man trained crows to remove and attack red MAGA hats by baiting them with food, demonstrating crow intelligence and creative anti-MAGA protest tactics.

#bouba-kiki

Science

Baby chicks link certain sounds with shapes, just like humans do

Science

Mind-blowing' baby chick study challenges a theory of how humans evolved language

Science

Baby chicks link certain sounds with shapes, just like humans do

Science

Mind-blowing' baby chick study challenges a theory of how humans evolved language

Pets

Cats turn their noses up at being helpful with humans and THIS is why

Pets

Face it, your cat doesn't care about you: Felines rarely help owners

Pets

Why some cats follow their owners everywhere while others ignore them completely - Silicon Canals

Cats turn their noses up at being helpful with humans and THIS is why

Cats rarely help humans find hidden objects unless the item benefits them directly, unlike dogs and toddlers who spontaneously assist regardless of personal reward.

Face it, your cat doesn't care about you: Felines rarely help owners

Dogs and toddlers spontaneously help locate hidden objects, while cats rarely assist unless the item is their favorite treat or toy, reflecting differences in domestication and selective breeding for cooperation.

Pets

Why some cats follow their owners everywhere while others ignore them completely - Silicon Canals

Monkey Matchmaking and Why It Matters

Personality similarity in pair-bonded animals improves compatibility and well-being, suggesting matching personalities could enhance welfare of captive pair-bonded primates.

Tool Use By Animals: Why the Hype and Why It's So Important

Recently, two unexpected examples by a wild wolf and a domesticated cow named Veronika attracted global attention and once again opened the door for experts and others to weigh in on the question, "Are these really examples of tooling?" Many people are eager to know more about the nitty-gritty details of tooling, so I am thrilled that Dr. Benjamin Beck, an expert in this area, could answer a few questions about this fascinating behavior.

Science

fromArs Technica

From chickens to humans, animals think "bouba" sounds round

Newly hatched chickens associate the sound 'bouba' with round shapes, indicating the bouba/kiki effect extends beyond humans and primates.

Let these nine romantic animals inspire you on Valentine's Day

Animal courtship displays—dances, duets, lifelong bonds—offer creative, nontraditional romantic ideas inspired by seahorses, gibbons, and monogamous dik-diks.

Primates' same-sex sexual behaviour may reinforce bonds amid environmental stress'

Same-sex sexual behaviour in non-human primates reinforces social bonds and maintains group cohesion amid environmental stress, scarce resources, predation risk, and social competition.

New Study Probes How Same-Sex Behaviors Evolved in Nonhuman Primates

Same-sex sexual behavior in nonhuman primates is common and likely evolved to strengthen social bonds and aid navigation of complex social systems.

Do Dogs Enjoy Playing More Than Cats, Rats, or Dolphins?

Joy serves as a unifying, evolved positive emotion across species that motivates adaptive behaviors, can become maladaptive in excess, and is difficult to measure.

fromNature

This bonobo had a pretend tea party - showing make believe isn't just for humans

Researchers have observed behaviour that resembles pretending in chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes) as well as bonobos ( Pan paniscus) and other great apes. A captive bonobo named Panbanisha was observed making a plucking motion to a picture of blueberries and then moving her fingers to her mouth, as if to eat the imaginary fruit. Researchers have also documented wild chimpanzees carrying logs like dolls, especially in young females.

Science