Humane Education

Protecting All Animals, an Interview with Dr. Bernard Unti

Carol L. Glasser — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:45:00 -0800

Bernard Unti is an historian of the human-animal bond and the senior policy adviser and special assistant to the CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. He recently took the time to answer some questions for me about some of his research and the role that historical research has had and can have for the animal protection movement.

Bystander Apathy in Animal Abuse Cases: Exploring Barriers to Child and Adolescent Intervention

Carol L. Glasser — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:45:00 -0800

Relying on in depth interviews with adolescents who had witnessed violence against animals but not intervened when it was occurring, this study seeks to understand impediments to advocating and intervening for the animal. The authors find that these adolescents act much like bystanders to violence against humans--being troubled by what that they see but not intervening. However, they differ in that violence against animals is normalized in their peer group as "play" activity. Implications for humane education needs are discussed.

Use of ‘‘Entertainment’’ Chimpanzees in Commercials Distorts Public Perception Regarding Their Conservation Status

Carol L. Glasser — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 07:45:00 -0800

Researchers investigated whether the way that chimpanzees are portrayed in the media effects the accuracy of people's knowledge about the species. They found that people's understanding of the animal is strongly influenced by the how the media depicts chimpanzees. Public service announcements about chimpanzee conservation increased accurate knowledge about the endangered status of the animal and their inability to be good pets, but commercials using chimpanzees as actors decreased understanding that these animals are endangered and increased the perception that they could be good pets.

Book Review - Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behaviour Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet

Carol L. Glasser — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:45:00 -0700

This article reviews the book Dog Sense, by John Bradshaw. The book focuses on consolidating scientific research about dogs to better understand their physical, emotional, and psychological needs.

Acknowledge No Evil: How People Come to Accept Violence Against Animals as Normal (Part 3)

Carol L. Glasser — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 11:45:00 -0700

In my previous post I discussed how it is that some people can personally commit acts of cruelty and torture toward animals for a living. However, I think the bigger question is, why are most U.S. citizens willing to pay others to engage in this cruelty, even when it is obvious that they can make personal choices that would prevent it? Unnecessary cruelty and killing of animals occurs every day on a mass scale, and the majority of U.S. citizen choose to accept, enable, and even demand it.

Friends or Food?

Jill Howard Church — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:45:00 -0700

A study of the relationship between animals depicted in children’s literature and films versus toy animals used to promote fast-food meals considers how these relationships affect children and their ability to emotionally separate themselves from animals they consume.

How Common is Animal-Friendly Behavior? HRC's New Data Might Surprise You

Che Green — Tue, 03 May 2011 19:00:24 -0700

Every year, the Humane Research Council conducts an annual survey of U.S. adults that we call the "Animal Tracker." The survey enables advocates to track and understand how public opinion and behavior is changing over time, with respect to a wide variety of critically important animal protection issues. HRC has just completed year four of the Animal Tracker and the report is now available (for free) on HumaneSpot.org.

The Animal Tracker (Wave 4 - March 2011)

HRC Admin — Mon, 02 May 2011 09:43:18 -0700

This report summarizes results from Wave 4 of the Animal Tracker annual survey of U.S. adults regarding their attitudes and behavior toward animals. In summary, the results continue to show strong support for humane education and many other advocacy tactics. However, support for all tactics is lower than it was in 2008 and there appear to be fewer people engaging in animal-friendly behaviors, perhaps in part due to the economic downturn.

Conceptualising Animal Abuse with an Antisocial Behaviour Framework

Kmunsell — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:45:44 -0700

Article Summary:

"There is increasing acceptance of the links between animal abuse and aggressive or antisocial behaviours toward humans. Nevertheless, researchers and other professionals continue to call for methodologically sound empirical research amongst claims that current animal abuse research is methodologically limited. Below, I argue that current conceptualizations of antisocial and aggressive human behavior logically incorporate animal abuse. Given that the body of empirical evidence available to support of theories of antisocial and aggressive behaviour is large and sound, conceptualization of animal abuse as an aggressive behaviour rather than a behaviour that is somehow different, enables us to confidently promote putting current understanding into practice."

Thinking About Animals 2011 Conference Highlights

Carol L. Glasser — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:46:22 -0700

I just returned from this year’s Thinking About Animals 2011 conference, co-hosted by Niagara Action for Animals, the Institute for Critical Animal Studies and Brock University’s social science departments. The conference was an amazing event, which included speakers from both academic and animal advocacy backgrounds.