Viewing Cat Videos Boosts Energy and Positive Emotions, According to a Happy University of Indiana Study
Adam Rifkin stashed this in #happiness
Source: http://news.indiana.edu/releases/iu/2015/06/internet-cat-video-research.shtml
Found via Eric Nakagawa: https://facebook.com/ericnakagawa/posts/10153423920717174
Here's the study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563215004343
Stashed in: Lolcats!, Emotion, Cute!, YouTube!, Grumpy!, Happiness, The Feels, Tuxedo Cats!, Tabby Cats!, Scottish Fold!, Black Cats!, The Internet, @emmaseppala, Pets!, Real Talk
Internet data show there were more than 2 million cat videos posted on YouTube in 2014, with almost 26 billion views.
Cat videos had more views per video than any other category of YouTube content.
In Myrick’s study, the most popular sites for viewing cat videos were Facebook, YouTube, Buzzfeed and I Can Has Cheezburger.
Among the possible effects Myrick hoped to explore: Does viewing cat videos online have the same kind of positive impact as pet therapy? And do some viewers actually feel worse after watching cat videos because they feel guilty for putting off tasks they need to tackle?
Of the participants in the study, about 36 percent described themselves as a “cat person,” while about 60 percent said they liked both cats and dogs.
Participants in Myrick’s study reported:
- They were more energetic and felt more positive after watching cat-related online media than before.
- They had fewer negative emotions, such as anxiety, annoyance and sadness, after watching cat-related online media than before.
- They often view Internet cats at work or during studying.
- The pleasure they got from watching cat videos outweighed any guilt they felt about procrastinating.
- Cat owners and people with certain personality traits, such as agreeableness and shyness, were more likely to watch cat videos.
- About 25 percent of the cat videos they watched were ones they sought out; the rest were ones they happened upon.
- They were familiar with many so-called “celebrity cats,” such as Nala Cat and Henri, Le Chat Noir.
Overall, the response to watching cat videos was largely positive.
“Even if they are watching cat videos on YouTube to procrastinate or while they should be working, the emotional pay-off may actually help people take on tough tasks afterward,” Myrick said.
Well, I'm convinced. I wonder where I can find some good cat videos.
11:07 PM Jun 17 2015