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

Posted by samzenpus on from the you-still-can-haz-cheeseburger dept.

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.

19 of 59 comments (clear)

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

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

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

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

  4. 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.

  5. 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 xOneca · · Score: 2

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

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

    I can haz conflicting study next Tuesday.

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    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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  7. 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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  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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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  11. 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.

  12. 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.

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

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