Pack theory vs treating your dog with 'love' and kindness

The second part of the psychology series on the BBC site, The Brain: A Secret History, looks at emotions. While the program is about humans they cover experiments that were done on animals.

In particular, they covered an experiment on monkeys to see whether they would prefer a surrogate mother (made out of plastic/wire etc) that offered the monkey milk, or another surrogate mother that had no milk but was covered in a soft material...

The experiments showed the monkey spent more time with the 'cuddly' mother than the plain one that had the milk - more interestingly, when the monkey was shown something that frightened it it went straight to the cuddly mother.

As the old adage goes, it pays to be nice and the experiments show, that being a source of food - doesn't get you the love/bond that providing something 'nice' that triggers a positive emotional response, does.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...tory_Emotions/

Well worth a watch!

Aww havent watched it yet but can just see cuddly monkies

I remember years ago watching a thing on orphaned orang-outangs
They were looking for voulanteers because the babies did much better if they had someone to cuddle

Guess we all need a bit of love

Ahhh, so there ya go, my old theory about praising a dog with love and kindness far outweights the titbit!!!!

Watched that one. Amazing empathy wins every time.

Warmth and tactile reassurance = security
security = freedom to develop emotionally, socially and physically.
Did they really need a scientific study to prove this?

I remember researching and watching programmes on Harlows monkeys when I did my A-Level Psychology.

I dont really go with the pack theory, just think that if you are caring and respectful and show your dog affection it goes a long way.

Well said C and D !

Yes, it's amazing that so much of science kind of "proves" what we already (should) know!

Wys
x

The guy who did the experiments did some pretty awful things imo. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Harlow

I don't know if it relates to pack therory though, seems a big jump from infant monkey to adolscent dog.

Could be argued that social group (which is about pack therory) is more important than food rewards.

Adam

i don't see those two things as being mutually exclusive.

rune