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A new study done by a University of Texas (Austin) psychologist has some keen insights into the differences between dog and cat owners.
According to the Sam Gosling’s findings:
Forty-six percent of respondents described themselves as dog people, while 12% said they were cat people. Almost 28% said they were both and 15% said they were neither.
Dog people were generally about 15 % more extroverted, 13% more agreeable and 11% more conscientious than cat people.
Cat people were generally about 12% more neurotic and 11% more open than dog people.
“This research suggests there are significant differences on major personality traits between dog people and cat people,” says Gosling. “Given the tight psychological connections between people and their pets, it is likely that the differences between dogs and cats may be suited to different human personalities.”
As part of the research, 4,565 volunteers were asked whether they were dog people, cat people, neither or both. The same group was given a 44-item assessment that measured them on the so-called Big Five personality dimensions psychologists often use to study personalities.