Thesis supervisor: Enikő Kubinyi
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Eötvös Loránd University Department of Ethology Abbreviation of location of studies: ELTE
Description of the research topic:
We aim to investigate companion animal (pet) keeping in our cultural runaway theory framework. We study the role of pets in human societies. What is the relationship between pet keeping, human fertility, and social networks? Can pets really replace kin or friends? Do they help or prevent local clustering in social networks? Can a cost-benefit assessment explain pet rejection or human-animal relationship satisfaction? In addition, we also focus on animal welfare questions. How does selection for e.g., infant-like features affect pets’ health, brain morphology, behaviour, sensory capacities (e.g., olfaction), cognition, and communication with humans? How does the anthropomorphic attitude of owners and the associated keeping practices affect the welfare of pets?
Required language skills: English Further requirements: statistics skill