Lecture Notes: Jealousy in Babies and Puppies Experiment

Introduction

• Topic: Investigating jealousy in toddlers and puppies.
• Purpose: To determine whether human and dog brains process jealousy similarly.

Experiment Overview

• Participants: Babies (toddlers) with their mothers and puppies with their guardians.
• Method: Observing reactions to mothers/guardians redirecting their attention from the participant to a lifelike doll or a new dog.

Human Babies' Reactions

• Initial Observation: Babies are indifferent when mothers are on the phone or reading a book.
• Jealousy Trigger:
  • Mothers begin focusing on a lifelike doll.
  • Reaction: Babies show clear signs of jealousy and resentment towards the doll.
• Conclusion: Humans inherently exhibit jealous tendencies from a young age.

Puppies' Reactions

• Initial Observation: Puppies (Ruby and Emma) are unconcerned when owners focus on phones or non-interactive objects.
• Jealousy Trigger:
  • Owners focus on a new dog, Noodles.
  • Ruby's Reaction: Attempts to play, indicating initial curiosity.
  • Ruby's Subsequent Reaction: Jealousy when the owner favors the new dog.
  • Emma's Reaction: Becomes defensive immediately realizing the new dog is real.
• Conclusion: Dogs also exhibit jealousy, similar to human toddlers.

Evolutionary Explanation

• Jealousy Function: A survival mechanism in species with multiple young competing for parental resources.
• Benefit: Exhibiting jealousy can enhance survival chances by securing more attention and resources.

Closing Thoughts

• Jealousy, despite its negative perception, has a practical role in both human and animal behavior.
• Both species, humans and dogs, utilize jealousy for attention and resource allocation, hinting at an evolutionary trait.