Human-Animal Interactions and Attitudes

Human-animal interactions encompass a wide spectrum of encounters between people and non-human species, ranging from companion animal relationships to wildlife encounters, livestock management and animal-based research. Attitudes towards animals are shaped by cultural values, demographic factors, personal experience and perceived animal capacities, and in turn influence consumer behaviour, conservation support, welfare policy and ethical debates concerning animal use. Contacts with companion animals may broaden empathy towards other animals and environmental concerns, while anthropomorphic framing can alter public acceptance of livestock practices. Demographic drivers such as gender, age and diet underpin variations in welfare attitudes across societies, and purpose-specific assessments reveal nuanced public views on uses of animals in research, agriculture and entertainment. Education and outreach initiatives play a crucial role in shaping knowledge and compassion, informing both policy and practice on a global scale. The field integrates psychology, sociology and biology to advance understanding of how humans value, use and protect animal life.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated that everyday encounters with pets extend beyond companionship, exerting measurable effects on broader social and environmental attitudes. In a large representative survey, individuals who owned pets or reported positive contact with them expressed stronger identification with animals, elevated concerns for wildlife and ecosystems, and more favourable attitudes towards human outgroups. This solidarity with animals dimension mediated enhanced biospheric concerns and correlated with reduced meat consumption, suggesting that positive interspecies relationships can catalyse wider shifts in ethical and environmental behaviour.

Human-Animal Interactions and Attitudes publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in human-animal interactions and attitudes across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Anthropomorphism: The attribution of human-like emotions, intentions or traits to non-human animals or objects.

Biospheric environmental concern: A value orientation prioritising the health and integrity of ecosystems and the natural environment.

Identification with animals: The psychological bond reflecting perceived unity or solidarity between humans and non-human species.

Animal sentience: The capacity of an animal to experience sensations, emotions and subjective states.

References

1. Exploring the role of our contacts with pets in broadening concerns for animals, nature, and fellow humans: a representative study. Scientific Reports (2023).
2. Anthropomorphism – a double edged sword: influences on acceptance of livestock keeping. Agriculture and Human Values (2024).
3. Animal Welfare Attitudes: Effects of Gender and Diet in University Samples from 22 Countries. Animals (2021).
4. Some animals are more equal than others: Validation of a new scale to measure how attitudes to animals depend on species and human purpose of use. PLOS ONE (2020).