A controversial new study reported on by Rachael Rettner finds that Cat People Are Smarter Than Dog People, New Study Shows. This is not the only difference in characteristics scientific studies have found between cat and dog owners.
People who said they were dog lovers in the study tended to be more lively — meaning they were more energetic and outgoing — and also tended to follow rules closely. Cat lovers, on the other hand, were more introverted, more open-minded and more sensitive than dog lovers. Cat people also tended to be non-conformists, preferring to be expedient rather than follow the rules.
And in a finding that's sure to spark rivalries among pet owners, cat lovers scored higher on intelligence than dog lovers. [Here, Kitty, Kitty: 10 Facts for Cat Lovers]
Part of the reason for the personality differences may be related to the types of environments cat or dog people prefer, said study researcher Denise Guastello, an associate professor of psychology at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, who presented the findings here at the annual Association for Psychological Science meeting.
"It makes sense that a dog person is going to be more lively, because they're going to want to be out there, outside, talking to people, bringing their dog," Guastello said. "Whereas, if you're more introverted, and sensitive, maybe you're more at home reading a book, and your cat doesn't need to go outside for a walk."
The study will have to be redone with larger more representative studies. This study surveyed only 600 college students.
Around 60% said they were dog lovers, 11 percent cat love, and the rest were either both, or neither.
These researchers are barking up the wrong tree if they think a non-random selection survey of 600 students is going to settle an issues as contentious as this.
8:45 PM PT:
9:14 PM PT: Who looks smartest here?
Massaging Dogs Compilation