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Researchers Claim a Few Cat Videos Per Day Helps Keep the Doctor Away

bigwophh writes: A study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior suggests that watching videos of cats may be good for your health. The study pinged nearly 7,000 people and asked them how viewing cat videos affected their moods. Of those surveyed, over a third (36 percent) described themselves as a "cat person" and nearly two-thirds (60 percent) said they have an affinity for both dogs and cats. Survey subjects noted less tendencies towards feeling anxious, sad, or annoyed after watching cat videos, including times when they viewed the videos while at work or trying to study. They also reported feeling more energetic and more positive afterwards. There may have been some guilt from putting off work or studying to watch Internet videos, but the amusement they got from seeing the antics of cats more than made up for it.

59 comments

  1. Nice. by penguinoid · · Score: 2

    Now to convince the boss that I can save him some money on health insurance...

    On a totally unrelated note, who would like to share their thoughts on that new button?

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  2. Some folks... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    At my job will never die based on tfa.

  3. or by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    just get a cat...

    1. Re: or by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Indeed. We have 8 cats. The new kitten is a riot, literally, from the point of view of the adult cats. Large cat populations develop complex social orders that you can observe and even immerse yourself into.

      Three or four purring cats all vying for your attention can be relaxing.

      And the swarm when you've opened a can of tuna is a spectacle.

    2. Re:or by Smauler · · Score: 1

      Does this count as a cat video?

      It makes me happy, anyway.

      Note : I do own a cat, and wouldn't mind this happening to her. She'd learn.

  4. Do japanese girls in sexy cat costumes also count? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Because my favorite adult video site does not seem to be able to fulfill my need for sexy girls in dog costume...

  5. Keep the doctor away by TheCreeep · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Can research see if something can keep the share button away from slashdot?

  6. Re:Do japanese girls in sexy cat costumes also cou by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Bitches be crazy.

  7. So ... by quenda · · Score: 3, Funny

    ladies with a house-full of cats are just self-medicating?

  8. Nope.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Won't help you if you actually get sick

  9. Pigs ?? by silveride · · Score: 1

    Where does pigs stand in this equation ?

  10. Porn by ruir · · Score: 2

    I guess they have not discovered porn yet. If I had to see cat videos everyday I think I would turn either suicidal or maniac.

    1. Re:Porn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well yeah, pussy videos are the best...

  11. Science reporting at its best! by Okian+Warrior · · Score: 4, Informative

    Okay, nothing in the linked article (that I could find) points to the actual study. After some googling, people are apparently reporting on this paper.

    The paper has these highlights:

    A survey of nearly 7000 Internet users tested associations between personality traits, past behavior, and viewing cat-related media online.

    The study also examined Internet users’ motivations for consuming cat-related content, including emotion regulation and procrastination.

    Additionally, it explored effects of Internet cat consumption on emotional states and enjoyment of this type of digital media.

    Results point to certain personality types being more strongly associated with Internet cat consumption.

    Furthermore, results support a conceptual model arguing that the happiness gained from viewing Internet cats can moderate the relationship between procrastination motives, guilt, and enjoyment.

    None of this, and nothing in the abstract, is anywhere close to what others and linked articles in the post summary claim.

    However, taking an austere view of the highlights, note that 7,000 people were polled and *self reported* that they felt good after watching cat videos.

    Also, what does "[viewing] can moderate the relationship between procrastination motives, guilt, and enjoyment" mean? What is this study reporting, and how does one use this information?

    "Moderate the relationship between things" is complete non-content speech. It's the thing one would expect from a politician trying to dodge a question.

    Also - papers have "highlights" sections now?

    1. Re:Science reporting at its best! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Actually, moderator variables are a well-known concept in statistical modelling. The term describes a relation where a variable has an effect on the relationship between other two variables. For example, it may attenuate the relationship or amplify it.

      That said, the sentence you pasted isn't clear enough on what relationships are moderated and in what way.

    2. Re:Science reporting at its best! by Whiteox · · Score: 1

      that 7,000 people were polled

      I thought they were 'pinged'....

      --
      Don't be apathetic. Procrastinate!
    3. Re:Science reporting at its best! by xOneca · · Score: 2

      They should have done the test with half group real cat videos and the other half placebos.

    4. Re:Science reporting at its best! by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Why is it surprising to you that people feel better after distracting themselves from their problems. My lady uses parrot videos. That was rough for a while after our parrot died, though. She had to switch to cat videos for a while, too.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    5. Re:Science reporting at its best! by jbmartin6 · · Score: 2

      Perhaps they could reveal to the placebo watcher that it wasn't a real cat.

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    6. Re:Science reporting at its best! by Psychotria · · Score: 1

      I have insider news. Of the 7,000 responses 6,945 were from this individual.

    7. Re:Science reporting at its best! by cellocgw · · Score: 1

      They should have done the test with half group real cat videos and the other half placebos.

      So what counts as a placebo? :-)

      bonsai kitty?

      kitty-shaped furby?

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    8. Re: Science reporting at its best! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Naturally I have not RTFA, nor do I want to defend the methodology of this self-report study, but mediation and moderation are very specific terms covered in research/statistics 101. "Did they invoke the term correctly?" is the important question.

    9. Re:Science reporting at its best! by Smauler · · Score: 1

      I'd guess the Not-a-cat Cat might be the perfect placebo.

    10. Re:Science reporting at its best! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The proper controls would be non-funny images and non-animal funny images. So 3 groups total.

  12. LOL wut? by istartedi · · Score: 4, Funny

    I can haz conflicting study next Tuesday.

    --
    For all intensive purposes, "whom" is no longer a word. That begs the question, "who cares"?
    1. Re:LOL wut? by AmiMoJo · · Score: 4, Funny

      The results of this study are hardly surprising and make perfect sense.

      Anyone who owns^W serves a cat knows that they are pretty funny little things. Obsessed with their own little empires and first world problems like the food bowl being only 90% full. Is it any wonder that looking at cute animals doing silly stuff, the ultimate straight man act, makes people feel better?

      --
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  13. bias? by Roodvlees · · Score: 2

    They asked how the people felt about watching the video's? They're funny and cute, of course the people felt good, you can't just assume that makes them healthier.

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    1. Re:bias? by mwvdlee · · Score: 2

      They also reported feeling more energetic and more positive afterwards.

      So basically the same effect as taking a dozen XTC pills...

      There may have been some guilt from putting off work or studying [...], but the amusement they got [...] more than made up for it.

      ... with pretty much the same result.

      Sounds healthy to me.

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    2. Re:bias? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      They asked how the people felt about watching the video's? They're funny and cute, of course the people felt good, you can't just assume that makes them healthier.

      Yeah, in order to make that kind of assumption, stress would have to be the biggest killer!

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  14. Watching videos you enjoy by Gaygirlie · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Researchers have found out that watching videos you enjoy and find entertaining makes you less depressed? Well, no fucking shit, Sherlock. It has nothing to do with cats or dogs or shit, per se, and is all about just being entertained by the videos!

    1. Re:Watching videos you enjoy by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 2

      If we are really lucky, these intrepid pioneers of science will conduct their next study in a bar; hopefully providing sound scientific validation for the short term psychologically therapeutic effects of drowning your sorrows.

  15. Well, I'm glad that's settled... by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 2

    It is encouraging to see the occasional radical, original, and highly controversial theory end up being validated by the data. Really, who ever would have thought that people consume feel-good videos of cute animals to numb the psychological pain of their actual lives?

    1. Re:Well, I'm glad that's settled... by Demonoid-Penguin · · Score: 2

      It is encouraging to see the occasional radical, original, and highly controversial theory end up being validated by the data. Really, who ever would have thought that people consume feel-good videos of cute animals to numb the psychological pain of their actual lives?

      But wait, there's more. Watching cat videos produces better code. First you have to sack all the people who spend their day watching cat videos. It's so obvious I don't need to do a double-blind study - or even get a professional to conduct the survey. It was so simple an idiot did the study.

  16. Stretches my support for the 1st Amendment by Vitriol+Angst · · Score: 3, Insightful

    You know how they say; "We've got to support the worst to get the best"?

    Well that's how I feel right now; mixed. You have to defend the KKK guy using his freedom of speech so you can have someone speak up about Wall Street (and get tear gassed *sigh*).

    And I'm all for "research for research sake" because, hey, a penny spent on science is one less penny for Wall Street to leverage into $2, and then shift as a $2.50 tax burden when a depreciation in pennies pushes the leverage the other way.

    Now researching Cat Videos? Seems like a demotion from the study; "found that watching internet porn not that harmful, also; stronger wrists."

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  17. Re:Do japanese girls in sexy cat costumes also cou by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why do you want to see sexy girls in dog costume? Don't real bitches do it for you anymore?

  18. Well duh by Demonoid-Penguin · · Score: 1

    It's not like you can catch toxoplasmosis from watching videos. Unless you forget to wash your hands.

    Slashdot - the new home of bad science. Oh, and chocolate is good for you. I read it on NineMSN, so it must be true (apologies to Jack Nicholson).

    1. Re:Well duh by wardrich86 · · Score: 1

      Maybe there is a correlation between people that are infected, and their positive mood while watching cat videos. This is clearly all part of the Meowluminati's plan to take over the world.

    2. Re: Well duh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We have a large population of cats. Believe me, cats are more preoccupied with taking over the lap, or the carpet pad the catnip was just sprinkled on, than the whole world. The world doesn't scratch behind their ears, for one thing.

      Inter-cat factionalism undermines the unity that would be needed for world domination in any case.

  19. Therapeutic by Livius · · Score: 2

    viewing cat videos affected their moods

    And we know that everything mood-altering is good for your physical health and consequently promoted by governments all over the world.

  20. Yes, but... by drinkypoo · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yes, but the problem is, their ailment is being a cat lady, and you can't fix that with more cats. Doesn't stop them from trying, though.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  21. Re:correlation vs causation, episode 3,654 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Right. For example, I'm not sure this cat video is good for anyone.

  22. I want some... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I want some Mew videos right Meow!

  23. R.I.P. Orange Kitty! by HouseOfMisterE · · Score: 1

    lol, my last cat died a few weeks ago and I've noticed that I've been watching a lot more cat videos lately. It's about time for a new kitty!

  24. Gordon Shumway by Psychotria · · Score: 3, Informative

    Did anyone else notice that the lead researcher was Gordon Shumway?

  25. This stresses me... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... a good cat is a dead cat !

  26. I remember reading the same about boobs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If both techniques live up to expectations (a big if) I'll stay with boobs.

  27. Fitz does it! by StonyCreekBare · · Score: 1, Informative

    In my Science Fiction novel 'Chromosome Quest', the hero, Fitz, takes a time-out to watch cat videos when he's feeling stressed. I put that in for a reason! It works! http://www.chromosomequest.com...

  28. Or, you know.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    you could OWN a cat.

    just a thought

    1. Re:Or, you know.... by neminem · · Score: 1

      I'm super allergic to cats, you insensitive clod. (Seriously, I'd love a cat, but I am legitimately super allergic, which is sadmaking. Can't quite justify spending upwards of a thousand bucks on a hypoallergenic cat this time, though it is occasionally tempting.)

      p.s. Why would I want to keep The Doctor away? I'd love to meet him!

  29. "Scientific Research" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I swear the epidimiological study is going to be the death of intelligence for our species.

    http://www.tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations

    The lay media makes it worse by reporting on studies of observational associations like everything's causal in nature, because Clickbait.

    In other epidimiological news, in developed societies we vaccinate our children and we also have higher diagnoses of autism. This is not a causal relationship, hippies, vaccinate your damn kids.

  30. Re: Do japanese girls in sexy cat costumes also co by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Check out furry sites, like wajas. Their PHP isn't as weak as it used to be, though. Furious furries could even become a full-on fetish.

  31. Wow that's the cat's meow by al0ha · · Score: 1

    Can't believe I'm the first on to say it. :P

    --
    Did you ever wake up in the morning, with a Zombie Woof behind your eyes? -- FZ
  32. Nobody... by fuego451 · · Score: 1

    ...owns a cat.

  33. These people are victims by clovis · · Score: 1

    It's the toxoplasmosis that is controlling their web surfing.