The researchers pointed out the similarities between the emotions of animals and humans.

A new research project has shown that children around the world believe in the ability of animals to experience emotions and feelings, while often refusing to claim that they have thoughts similar to human ones. This discovery may affect how people relate to other species throughout their lives. This was reported on December 4 by Medical Xpress magazine.

The study involved 1,025 children aged four to 17 years and 190 adults from 33 urban and rural settlements in 15 countries. An international group of researchers asked them questions about whether animals have thoughts or feelings and about their similarity to humans.

"Children and teenagers from a wide variety of cultures were ready to recognize the ability of animals to think and feel. However, children and adults consistently denied that animals had human—like thinking, from those who lived in small fishing and farming communities to those who lived in the stone jungles of megacities," said Carrie Neldner, a researcher at the Forrest program at the University of Western Australia's School of Psychological Sciences and lead author of the study.

According to the analysis, the universal tendency to emphasize differences in the thoughts of animals and humans begins at an early age and persists throughout life. Neldner clarified that at the same time, scientists have seen significant cultural differences in how children and adults attribute feelings to animals. According to her, this indicates that cultural beliefs and life experiences shape our perception of the capabilities of animals.

In addition, the lead author of the study noted that understanding people's basic beliefs about what distinguishes them from animals helps specialists adapt educational and environmental programs, while focusing on the fact that animals experience a wide range of emotions, many of which are comparable to human ones.

November 30 — World Pet Day: history and traditions

Earlier, on November 26, an article on the World Journal of Pediatrics portal highlighted the ability of pets to influence children's mental health. According to the study, having pets can reduce anxiety, stress, and depression in children, as well as improve their social skills.

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