Current literature suggests that certain traits are considered of higher value when selecting an individual to start any kind of relationship with, due to the evolutionary benefits these traits...Show moreCurrent literature suggests that certain traits are considered of higher value when selecting an individual to start any kind of relationship with, due to the evolutionary benefits these traits hold for the selecting individual. Attractiveness, dominance and social connections are considered of high value for survival. Dominance can be expressed through aggressive behaviour, while forming social connections can be expressed through grooming. These types of behaviour are contradicting to each other, yet both considered of great value for survival. Through an eye-tracking study we investigated the attentional bias towards either the initiator of aggressive behaviour (aggressor) or the recipient of aggressive behaviour (victim), as well as the attentional behaviour towards either the more dominant (groomee) or the more submissive (groomer) individual during grooming behaviour. Participants were presented with videos followed by corresponding still frames of aggressive (aggressor vs. victim) and grooming (groomer vs. groomee) interactions. Eye-tracking data was collected during the presentation of the still frame in the form of total looking time towards either of the individuals shown in the still frames. The results suggest that humans have an attentional bias towards the aggressor instead of the victim and have an attentional bias towards the groomee compared to the groomer. Both findings suggest that the more dominant person is considered of higher value for survival. Potential explanations and potential future researches are discussed in this paper.Show less
Past experiences influence our attitudes in social interactions, particularly negative experiences. Negative experiences and attitudes shape our present-day behaviour. Research identifies empathy...Show morePast experiences influence our attitudes in social interactions, particularly negative experiences. Negative experiences and attitudes shape our present-day behaviour. Research identifies empathy and attitude as precursors to mimicry. Pupil mimicry can indicate trust and bonding in human-human interactions, as the pupil provides a look into people’s mental state or intentions. It is unclear whether pupil mimicry in human-human interactions extends to other species. This research investigates how factors such as, negative experience and attitude, can change pupil mimicry responses with conspecifics (humans) and cross-species (bonobos and dogs). Using a Repeated-measures ANOVA, the effect of Species (human, bonobo or dog) and Pupil action (dilating or constricting) on pupil mimicry was investigated. This analysis found that while the interaction was not significant, the main effects of Species and Pupil action were. Secondly, the impact of negative experiences with dogs on pupil mimicry with only dog stimuli was investigated using an ANOVA, this was not significant. Lastly, an ANCOVA was conducted, using Species and Pupil action, with Attitude as a covariate, on pupil mimicry. The results of this analysis were insignificant for both interaction and main effects. The current study was unable to find evidence of negative experience or attitude influencing pupil mimicry cross-species. Areas for improvement on the study design include a more in-depth analysis of the non- human stimuli prior to data collection and pre-conceived biases towards dog breeds used in the experiment. Additionally, more information on context and severity of negative experiences with dogs would be beneficial to future research.Show less
