Can humans interpret other species?

Lead Research Organisation: University of Portsmouth
Department Name: Psychology

Abstract

In order to learn more about human psychology, literature has adopted the consideration of other
species to explain why we behave the way we do. This is common within the investigations of
personality. Literature has shown that some personality trait domains can be universally transferred
across species, however methodological issues question the accuracy of this ability. Research has also
shown that humans are able to perceive other species correctly, but current methods only consider this
in relation to the nonhuman species. The consideration of human interpretation of animal behaviour is
limited, which has created an interesting gap in the literature.
It means that research has not yet determined which personality traits humans are universally able to
understand. Such research would provide an important foundation for human personality research. The
proposed research will contribute to the existing knowledge and applications of human and animal
personality. Understanding personality of humans in relation to which behavioural traits of mammals, are
likely to contribute to the growing research area of human-animal interactions. Humans who benefit here
are locals living nearby mammalian wildlife, ecotourists and people who work with animals, whether in
captivity or in the wild.

Publications

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
ES/P000673/1 01/10/2017 30/09/2027
2446029 Studentship ES/P000673/1 01/10/2020 30/09/2024 Laura Saunders