Social rejection as a form of bullying: The effect of dogs on students' loneliness and empathy

Abstract

Social exclusion is a form of bullying that causes a range of negative implications in students’ personal and academic life. Bullies have been characterized by specific personality traits and lack of empathy. Thus, empathy can be used as a protective factor against bullying in intervention programs. Similarly, animals have a buffering effect against feelings of social rejection and a positive relationship with empathy through humane education programs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dog presentation on social exclusion and empathy on graduate and undergraduate students. In particular, this study explored the effect of dog presentation in terms of anthropomorphism, positive distraction and emotional connection on feelings of loneliness and affective and cognitive empathy. A total of 143 college students were recruited online and were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions. The results revealed that participants in the anthropomorphism group, in the positive emotional connection group, and in the positive distraction group experienced significantly less loneliness and more empathy compared to the control group. Additionally, participants in the anthropomorphism group, in the positive emotional connection group, and in the positive distraction group felt significantly more affective empathy compared to the control group. In contrary, only the participants in the anthropomorphism group felt significantly more cognitive empathy compared to the control group. Lastly, participants in the positive distraction group felt significantly less cognitive empathy compared to the participants in the anthropomorphism group. Participants’ pet attitude did not affect the findings. Possible applications in the educational and clinical setting are further discussed.