Dog People vs. Cat People – Are They Really Different?

Dog People vs. Cat People – A Surprising Discovery

On the other hand, there’s the image of the exuberant dog lover who never misses an opportunity to interact with a passing dog and shares an equal enthusiasm with the canine during a game of fetch.

But how accurate are these perceptions when viewed through a scientific lens? One of our readers, posed this question to us: Are there discernible differences in the personalities of dog and cat enthusiasts, and is there empirical evidence to validate these distinctions?

To address this inquiry, we collaborated with an associate professor of psychology at the University of Copenhagen. He points out that there is indeed some merit to these claims. Research has identified correlations between specific personality traits and an individual’s preference for dogs or cats. Fascinatingly, these findings largely concur with popular cultural conceptions of these groups.

Dog people typically seek companionship, while cat people, value independence, and often exhibit solitary tendencies. These pet preferences, deeply rooted in personality, influence human relationships and become intertwined with individual identity.

He further elaborates that understanding the differences between these two groups can offer broader insights into human nature. However, to truly comprehend this, we first need to delineate these differences.

A comprehensive study from 2017 involving 418 American undergraduates revealed several distinctions in the personalities of cat and dog enthusiasts. Findings from this study showed that those who preferred cats exhibited greater independence, interacted with others with less warmth, displayed reduced social courage, and had a lesser tendency to conform to societal norms.

They also appeared more serious and reserved but were found to be more imaginative, sentimental, and abstract. In contrast, dog lovers were found to be more relaxed, pragmatic, dutiful, sociable, group-inclined, and expressive.

These findings echo a 2010 study in which dog aficionados scored higher in extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, while cat aficionados scored higher in openness and neuroticism – the latter being characterized by a predisposition to anxiety.

Our expert highlights that “Noticeable differences exist in the overarching personality traits of dog and cat enthusiasts.”

However, these differences aren’t limited to overarching personality traits. Referencing an Australian study from 2015 that explored the ‘social dominance orientation’ trait among dog and cat people. This trait assesses how strongly individuals view society as hierarchically structured and that certain groups inherently hold more power than others.

Comprising 1,009 participants, mostly from the USA, the study concluded that dog enthusiasts were more inclined to believe in a hierarchical societal structure compared to cat enthusiasts. Although the variance wasn’t vast, it was significant enough to establish a distinction.

Our expert rationalizes this by suggesting that owning a dog often requires an element of control, whereas cats are generally more self-sufficient. Hence, those who believe in a natural hierarchy might gravitate more towards dogs, while those who advocate for equality may prefer the independent nature of cats.

We Prefer the Traits We Recognize in Ourselves

There exists a distinction between individuals who prefer dogs and those who favor cats. Our expert posits a straightforward psychological explanation for this phenomenon.

Human nature is such that people of similar mindsets tend to get along better, be it in friendships, romantic partnerships, or even in the pets they choose. As a result, our choice of pets often mirrors our personality traits. The expert believes that a person who values independence and resists domination will gravitate toward cats, known for their autonomous nature.

This underlying principle also guides our choices in friendships and relationships. People often select partners and friends whose physical attributes, educational background, intelligence, political stance, and hobbies align with their own.

The expert also highlights a practical angle to this. For instance, those who cherish solitude and the tranquility of reading might find it more compatible to have a cat as a companion. Similarly, political alignment between partners can make coexistence smoother.

The adage that “birds of a feather flock together” encapsulates this sentiment.

Moreover, over time, these preferences can intertwine with our sense of identity. Whether it’s a proclivity towards cats or dogs, a left or right political leaning, or a preference for tea over coffee, these choices gradually mold our self-perception.

Once these preferences solidify into our self-concept, they influence our actions and behavior. Our expert illustrates this with the tendency to mimic. If someone identifies strongly as a cat lover, they might subconsciously start adopting behaviors typical of other cat enthusiasts.

Drawing from his personal experience, our expert notes that in academic environments, he finds himself unconsciously emulating other researchers in appearance and behavior, striving to fit the mold of a “bona fide researcher.”

Yet, it’s vital to recognize that the distinctions drawn from studies are not strictly between cat and dog owners but between the inherent personalities of those who have a preference for one over the other. Many research findings center on self-perception and identity.

Humans have a natural inclination to categorize themselves and others into distinct groups. This categorization aids in quickly understanding and relating to others. For instance, upon meeting someone new, one might deduce, based on their pet preference, certain behavioral tendencies, like a perceived preference for solitary work.

Furthermore, this categorization aids in self-understanding and identity formation. Our affiliations, be it with certain pets, gadgets, vehicles, attire, or pastimes, shape our identity and provide a framework for self-reflection.

Finally, our expert emphasizes the profundity of the dog-versus-cat preference discussion. While it might seem superficial on the surface, it offers deep insights into fundamental social-psychological dynamics.