Q&A with Professor Virginia Hall

The following is part of an interview with Ohio University professor Virginia Hall. She teaches a society and animals course that explores the relationship between humans and animals.

So, in your own words, what is your definition of anthropomorphism?

Well anthropomorphism was developed as one way to characterize how people describe animals. If you are accused of 'anthropomorphizing,' this means you've given human traits or characteristics to an animal. For example, if I said 'Gosh my dog is so bored today' that would be an example of anthropomorphizing because being bored is a human emotion.

So you can describe any animal without anthropomorphizing?

It can be a fine line. But saying something like "my dog is hot" may not be anthropomorphizing because it's been proven that when dogs pant, it's a way for them to cool down. But again, people who take a very strict or narrow definition of it would still say that's anthropomorphizing. 

We seem to be talking about dogs a lot. Is that usually the animal that is anthropomorphized?

Not necessarily, anybody can describe any animal as having human emotions, but pets, especially dogs seem to be anthropomorphized the most.

Why is that?

Well, they are our campions. Dogs, or wolves, have been with us for hundreds of year. It's easy to describe an animal like a human if it's been a companion for that long.

What are other ways dogs can be anthropomorphized? Like dressing them up?

That's one example. Anthropomorphism goes beyond just describing a dog like a human. You can also treat it like a human by dressing it up in human outfits, feeding it people food, and overall treating it like a little furry person.

This seems like a new trend. I mean, I don't remember things like doggy daycares or crazy pet outfits until the last few years.

Well yes, doggy daycares are a new thing, but people, ladies especially, have been dressing dogs up way back in the 1800s. Their dogs had their own handkerchiefs and even little boots to wear.

What was the point of all that?

It was another status symbol of the aristocracy. It showed you had so much money to spare that you could even afford fashionable outfits for your dog.

The rest of professor Hall's comments about the consequences of anthropomorphism are in an earlier post. Check it out!

Photo Caption: Bo, the Obama's family dog is seen playing with a ball outside the white house. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

When "man's best friend" goes too far

Man’s best friend has gotten an upgrade: trade in that nylon collar for a diamond-studded necklace and do not forget to put a coat on Fiddo before dropping him off at daycare

Society has found new ways to treat their pooch like their child, friend, or even spouse. But tendency to humanize these dogs puts them and humans at risk.

What's anthropomorphism?

More than 63 percent of households own a pet, which equates to 7.1 billion homes, according to the American Pet Products Association’s 2007-2008 national pet owner’s survey.

Pet owners spent more than $2.9 billion on pet services such as spas and daycares in 2007-a growing trend, according to a report from the American Pet Products Association

A 2008 study by the University of Chicago shed some light on this humanization phenomenon called anthropomorphism--when objects are given human attributions or characteristics.

The study found that more and more people are creating human relationships with their pets and other objects.

The researchers concluded that non-human-human relationships provide the same psychological and emotional benefits as human relationships.

So what's the problem?

Although this study found several benefits from humanizing pets, Ohio University professor Virginia Hall said she has some doubts.

"The problem is that owners start to think of their dogs as little people with fur rather than what they are: animals," she said.

Hall, who teaches a society and animals course, said that while dogs have had a strong relationship with humans for hundreds of years, it wasn't until society used dogs as companions and show pieces that both humans and dogs began to suffer from humanization rather than benefit from it.

“Dogs do want to satisfy humans, but will never be able to when we set such high expectations for them,” Hall said, adding that these expectations include making a pet a best friend, child or partner.

When dogs can't meet those human expectations they begin to feel anxious, which can lead to chewing on furniture or losing their appetite, she said.

Hall acknowledged that while there is some evidence to suggest dogs feel human emotions like pain, joy, and sadness, but these emotions are on a more basic level.

The problem occurs when humans begin to exaggerate these emotions.

“Owners come to rely on their pets as more than their animal and when pets can’t commit we get upset with them,” Hall said.

But dogs also physically suffer. When owners begin to think of their dog as a person they forget what their dog needs as an animal like exercise and socialization with other dogs.

“We have to love and care for our animals, but not expect more than they can give,” Hall said.

What can be done?

To the credit of humans, Hall said society is appreciating pets more and taking better care of their needs, yet she remains convinced no good can from humanizing pets.

Dogs or any other pet can never be a substitute for human relationships no matter how much you dress them like a person or think they understand what you’re feeling,” Hall said.

So while Fiddo may be the best-dressed pooch on the block with his suede collar and leather boots, he still lifts his leg to go the bathroom and greets others with a sniff of their behind.

And that behavior has yet to be accepted in human society.

What do you think? Anything wrong with treating your pooch like your best friend?

Photo caption: Softbank Corp. TV commercial model Kai the Hokkaido dog, wearing Japan's third biggest mobile carrier's baseball team the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks' cap and uniform, poses next to a new handset held by U.S. actor Dante Carver, unseen, during a press event in Tokyo Tuesday, May 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)