Myers-Briggs for Dogs?
Published February 27, 2005
Could be happening sooner than you think if Dr. Samuel Gosling of the University of Texas has his way.
Gosling has made a career out of studying animal personality, and has come to the conclusion that dogs share four out of the five personality traits psychologists use to understand human behavior.
The question of whether or not dogs have a meaningful personality is controversial among scientists, even if dog owners have no doubt whatsoever that it is the case.
Human personality is measured according to five variables: extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to new experience.
Gosling has found that only conscientiousness — which measures trustworthiness, selfishness and dependability — is absent in dogs.
Who knows?
Perhaps when Gosling comes up with his canine version of the Myers-Briggs, he'll make it so one of the profiles is WOOF.
- Myers-Briggs for Dogs?
- Published: February 27, 2005
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- Section: Culture
- Writer: bookofjoe
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Comments on this articleComments
Contrary to common thought and Robert Heinlein, cats can be taught. Their motivations are simply less human-like than those of dogs, so it's more difficult to figure out rewards and punishment.
I suspect cats would turn out to be ISFPs...
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Dogs certainly have varied and interesting personalities, but how would you test them? Hit 'em with a stick and see what happens?
It's truly amazing to work with a dog and see the moment where you've actually taught it something, that it will respond to your command and then bask in the praise received afterward.
But what about the cats?