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University of Vienna study shows dogs distinguish human emotions
Researchers at the University of Vienna have provided the first scientific evidence that domestic dogs can distinguish between specific negative human facial expressions, including anger, fear, and sadness. The study, published in the journal iScience, utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor the brain activity of 14 cooperative dogs while they viewed images of human faces.
Findings revealed that happy faces specifically activate the temporal cortex and the caudate nucleus, a region associated with reward processing. This suggests that human smiles hold a positive emotional value for dogs. While the reward circuitry responded primarily to happiness, machine learning analysis of whole-brain activity showed distinct patterns that allowed dogs to differentiate between various negative emotions, such as distinguishing fear from anger.
Lead researchers Raúl Hernández-Pérez and Laura Cuaya noted that these findings highlight the evolutionary adaptations that allow dogs to understand and cooperate with humans. Future research aims to explore how dogs integrate other sensory cues, such as body language, vocal nuances, and scent, to interpret human intentions.
Entities
Cell Press · Laura Cuaya · Raúl Hernández Pérez · Raúl Hernández-Pérez · University of Vienna · iScience
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Dogs have evolved alongside humans to understand expressions and cooperate. www.dimokratia.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.thestival.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The study used machine learning to analyze electroencephalograms of 12 dogs. www.dimokratia.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.thestival.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Brain regions associated with higher cognitive functions and reward processing, such as the temporal cortex and nucleus accumbens, activated only when dogs saw happy faces. www.dimokratia.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.thestival.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Dogs can distinguish between different human emotions in facial expressions. www.dimokratia.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.thestival.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Whole-brain activity patterns allowed dogs to differentiate fear from anger and sadness. www.dimokratia.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.thestival.gr