【明報專訊】A new study conducted at the University of Vienna (維也納大學) has found that dogs may mirror their owners' anxiety and negativity. Dogs belonging to neurotic owners are less able to cope with stress, while relaxed people's pets are friendlier and more relaxed.
More than 100 dogs and their owners were involved in the study. They underwent various tests. Their heart beats were measured, and their responses to threats recorded. Furthermore, their saliva samples were taken, with which their cortisol (皮質醇) levels (a marker of stress) were measured. The dogs' characters and their owners' were also assessed.
The study shows dogs whose owners score high for neuroticism show less variation in their cortisol levels, which is a sign of failing to cope with stressful situations. In general, pets with "negative" owners are less able to deal with pressure, while relaxed owners are likely to have relaxed and friendly dogs. Dogs are sensitive to their owners' emotions and may mirror them.
One of the researchers said a dog and its owner influenced each other's coping mechanism (抗壓機制), with the human partner being more influential. The research has been published in PLOS ONE, an academic journal.
(sources: Ming Pao, BBC, Daily Mail)
■Photo Story
A study shows dogs can recognise their owners' emotions and may even take them on.
■English highway﹕ in general
"In general" is a commonly used phrase. It means "usually" or "in most situations".
e.g. In general, half of the applicants will be interviewed.
■Quiz
Answer the following questions.
(Answers on next text)
1. Is the following sentence true or false?
High variation in cortisol levels indicates high ability to cope with stress.
(True / False)
2. What institute do the researchers who have done the study work for?
_______________________________________
3. Which of the following was / were measured in the study?
The dogs' and their owners'
(1) heart rates (2) cortisol levels
(3) heights and weights
a.(1) only
b.(1) and (2)
c.(2) and (3)
d.All of the above
4. Find in paragraph one a word that is similar in meaning to "reflect".
_______________________________________
■Glossary
neurotic (adj) 神經質的
cope with (v) 處理
assess (v) 評估
journal (n) 期刊
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