Hockenbury Discovering Psychology 5th txtbk

Emotion353Anthropomorphism: Happy Dolphins?Despite the problem of knowing just what an animalis feeling, we often think that we do. For example,one reason that dolphins are so appealingis the wide, happy grin they seem to wear. But thedolphin’s “smile” is not a true facial expression—it’s simply the bony curvature of its mouth. If youcomment on the friendly, happy appearance ofthe dolphins frolicking at SeaWorld or anotheraquarium, you’re projecting those human emotionsonto the dolphins.You also just committed anthropomorphism—you attributed human traits, qualities, or behaviorsto a nonhuman animal. The tendency of people tobe anthropomorphic is understandable when youconsider how extensively most of us were conditionedas children via books, cartoons, and Disneycharacters to believe that animals are just like people,only with fur or feathers.From a scientific perspective, anthropomorphism can hinderprogress in understanding animal emotions. By assuming that ananimal thinks and feels as we do, we run the risk of distorting orobscuring the reality of the animal’s own unique experience(Hauser, 2000).Instead, we must acknowledge that other animals are nothappy or sad in the same way that humans subjectively experiencehappiness or sadness. As psychologist Mark Hauser (2000)puts it, “Animal minds are wild minds, shaped by a history ofenvironmental pressures. The problem we face is to figure outwhat kinds of feelings and thoughts animals have, and whythey evolved such capacities.”Animals clearly demonstrate diverse emotions—fear, anger,surprise. But to understand how they subjectively experience suchfeelings—and, indeed, whether they do at all—raises questionsthat cannot be fully answered at this time. Nonetheless, it seemssafe to assume that more primitive animals, like fish, turtles, andsnakes, probably do not possess a level of self-awareness thatwould allow them to experience complex emotions like grief,Silly Elephants Elephants form tightlyknit family groups. When reunitedafter a long separation, elephants performan elaborate greeting ceremony—rumbling, trumpeting, flapping theirears, and spinning around as they rushtogether, exuberantly intertwiningtheir trunks. Even adult elephants play,sometimes with great enthusiasm,which veteran researcher Cynthia Moss(2000) describes as “elephants actingsilly.” Female elephants are intenselydevoted to their offspring, and familymembers often touch one anotherwith what looks like affection(Bradshaw & others, 2005).empathy, or altruism (Hauser, 2000). For more sophisticated animals,like dolphins, primates, and elephants, the evidence is morecompelling (Bekoff, 2007; Griffin, 2001).One subjective aspect of the scientific method is how to interpretevidence and data. In the case of the evidence for animalemotions, the scientific debate is far from over. Although thelack of a definitive answer can be frustrating, keep in mind thatsuch scientific debates play an important role in avoiding erroneousconclusions and shaping future research.CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS What evidence would lead you to conclude that primates,dolphins, or elephants experience emotions? Would you accept different evidence to conclude that a6-month-old human infant can experience emotions?If so, why? Is it possible to be completely free of anthropomorphictendencies in studying animal emotions?analyzing the facial muscles involved in producing each expression. In doing so, theyprecisely classified the facial expressions that characterize the basic emotionsof happiness, sadness, surprise, fear, anger, and disgust. When shownphotographs of these facial expressions, research participants were ableto correctly identify the emotion being displayed (Ekman, 1982,1992b, 1993).Ekman concluded that facial expressions forthe basic emotions are innate and probablyhard-wired in the brain. Further evidencecomes from children who are born blind anddeaf. Despite their inability to observe or hearothers, they express joy, anger, and pleasure usingthe same expressions as sighted and hearinganthropomorphismThe attribution of human traits, motives,emotions, or behaviors to nonhumananimals or inanimate objects.Facial Expressions Are Innate Borndeaf and blind, this 7-year-old girl hasnever observed the facial expressions ofthose around her. Yet her smile andlaughter are unmistakable and identicalto those of other children. Facialexpressions, especially for basicemotions, seem to be innate ratherthan learned (Galati & others, 2003).