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The presence of a dog attenuates cortisol and heart rate in the Trier Social Stress Test compared to human friendsmore
by John Polheber and Robert Matchock
Limited research has addressed how social support in the form of a pet can affect both sympathetic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal reactivity in response to a psychological challenge. The present study examined the effects of social... more
Limited research has addressed how social support in the form of a pet can affect both sympathetic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal reactivity in response to a psychological challenge. The present study examined the effects of social support on salivary cortisol and heart rate (HR). Forty-eight participants were randomly assigned to three different conditions (human friend, novel dog, or control). All participants completed the Trier Social Stress Test and provided cortisol, HR, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory measures. For participants paired with a dog, overall cortisol levels were attenuated throughout the experimental procedure, and HR was attenuated during the Trier Social Stress Test. For all groups, state anxiety increased after the Trier Social Stress Test, and HR during the Trier Social Stress Test was a predictor of cortisol. These results suggest that short-term exposure to a novel dog in an unfamiliar setting can be beneficial. They also suggest a possible mechanism ...
Publication Date: 2014
Publication Name: Journal of behavioral medicine
Research Interests: Social Support, Behavioral Medicine, Adolescent, Anxiety, Dogs, and 9 moreHumans, Female, Animals, Pets, Male, Heart rate, Saliva, ANXIETY, and Friends
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The current study examined whether men’s ratings of women’s desirability as a long-term pairbond, based on static photographs, were related to the women’s secondto- fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio and their sexual attitudes and behavior. The... more
The current study examined whether men’s ratings
of women’s desirability as a long-term pairbond, based
on static photographs, were related to the women’s secondto-
fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio and their sexual attitudes and
behavior. The 2D:4D ratio was measured in 164 women and
facial photographs were taken of 55 of these women. All
women completed the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory
(SOI). Male participants (n=89), masked to this information,
rated the 55 female participants on their desirability as a
long-term sexual partner, specifically along dimensions of
faithfulness, youthfulness, and attractiveness. Ten independent
judges rated women’s photographed faces on masculinity.
Results indicated a significant negative relationship
between women’s SOI scores and men’s faithfulness ratings
(more unrestricted sociosexuality was associated with lower
faithfulness ratings). There was also a significant positive
relationship between right (but not left) 2D:4D ratio and
faithfulness ratings (women with female-like ratios were
rated as being more faithful). The SOI scores of the women
were not related to 2D:4D ratios. These results suggest that
the potential for sexual infidelity can be gleaned from static
facial cues.
of women’s desirability as a long-term pairbond, based
on static photographs, were related to the women’s secondto-
fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio and their sexual attitudes and
behavior. The 2D:4D ratio was measured in 164 women and
facial photographs were taken of 55 of these women. All
women completed the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory
(SOI). Male participants (n=89), masked to this information,
rated the 55 female participants on their desirability as a
long-term sexual partner, specifically along dimensions of
faithfulness, youthfulness, and attractiveness. Ten independent
judges rated women’s photographed faces on masculinity.
Results indicated a significant negative relationship
between women’s SOI scores and men’s faithfulness ratings
(more unrestricted sociosexuality was associated with lower
faithfulness ratings). There was also a significant positive
relationship between right (but not left) 2D:4D ratio and
faithfulness ratings (women with female-like ratios were
rated as being more faithful). The SOI scores of the women
were not related to 2D:4D ratios. These results suggest that
the potential for sexual infidelity can be gleaned from static
facial cues.