Friday, June 19, 2015

Watching Cat Videos Increases Energy and Positive Emotions, Decreases Negative Feelings, Study Shows

A new study indicates that watching Internet cat videos isn't just entertaining, it also increases positive feelings, decreases negative ones, and gives the viewer energy.  The study, conducted by Indiana University Media School assistant professor, Jessica Gall Myrick, was published in the most recent issue of Computers in Human Behavior.

Myrick surveyed nearly 7,000 individuals about their cat video viewing behavior and how watching cat videos affected their moods.  Mike Bridavsky, Lil' Bub's owner, aided the study by distributing the survey through social media.

Myrick hoped to answer a couple of questions with her study.  She wanted to determine if watching online cat videos has the same type of positive effect that pet therapy does.  Additionally, she wanted to explore whether people actually felt worse after watching online cat videos because they feel guilty about procrastinating tasks they need to complete.

Results

The most popular sites used to watch cat videos in Myrick's study were Facebook, YouTube, BuzzFeed, and I Can Has Cheezburger.  Of the participants in the study, approximately 60% said that they liked cats and dogs while 36% identified themselves as a "cat person."

Participants reported that they often watch cat videos at work or while studying.  Myrick also discovered that cat owners as well as individuals with certain personality traits, such as shyness and agreeableness were more likely to watch online cat videos.

The participants reported feeling more positive and energetic after viewing cat videos than they had before.  Additionally, they indicated that they had fewer negative emotions, such as sadness, anxiety, and annoyance after watching cat-related media than they did before.  In regards to Myrick's question about feeling guilty over procrastinating, participants reported that the pleasure they received from watching online cat videos outweighed any guilt they felt about procrastinating.

For each completed survey, Myrick donated 10 cents to Lil' Bub's foundation, Lil Bub's Big Fund for the ASPCA.

In light of these results and, because today is International Box Day, take a moment to watch this cute cat video before tackling your work.



If you can't see the video, you can watch it on YouTube here.

How do you feel after watching cat videos?

Source:

IU Bloomington Newsroom: Not-so-guilty Pleasure: Viewing Cat Videos Boosts Energy and Positive Emotions, IU Study Finds. 

12 comments:

  1. We are big cat video fans here!

    ReplyDelete
  2. We don't care for cat videos nearly as much as the peeps MOL!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ha-ha! We like what Mr. Brian said! ....as for the peeps, why they need a study to prove what everyone already knows????

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just as we always suspected! :)

    Happy International Box Day, sweet friends!

    ReplyDelete
  5. hehehe mum says that about watching me too hehehe happy box day,xx Speedy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Videos are great, but I find the real thing even more soothing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. thanx for visiting us on International box day and for posting that cute video about cats trying to cram themselves into tiny boxes.. We love videos and have been known to star in them ourselves but really enjoy watching others.Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dad and us kitties love cat videos. Just wish we had 26 hour days so there was more time to watch them. MOL
    Timmy

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great minds think alike! We shared this video on box day too! We love watching cat videos.

    ReplyDelete
  10. If only humans listened to us! We knew that all along, didn't we?!
    Purrs

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good giggles equals good moods around here. at least fur a while!! They are like catnip fur peeps, MOL!!

    ReplyDelete