Everyone who has a pet interacts with them on a daily basis since they are our companions at home. We show them love and care, take care of each other, and they become part of our lives. And as proven, we love our Shih Tzus as if they were our children.
For those who don’t have a Shih Tzu, they may find it silly or strange that we talk to ours, sometimes even in a different voice than usual, thinking it’s useless communication.
But according to scientist Nicholas Epley, who teaches at the University of Chicago, he disagrees with that notion.
For the professor, it’s completely normal to engage in this type of communication, and in fact, investing in a conversation with a pet may indicate a higher level of social cognition between the little animals and their owners.
As an expert on the phenomenon of anthropomorphism – the tendency to attribute human thoughts, feelings, or characteristics to a non-human being, such as an animal or an inanimate object.
Author of the book Mindwise: How we understand what others think, believe, feel, and want, he writes… “I think this view is somewhat misguided and unfortunate.
Recognizing the intelligence of another human being involves the same psychological processes as recognizing a non-human intelligence, as in animals.
It’s a reflection of the expansiveness and great brain capacity we possess, and not a sign of stupidity.”