If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s anything to the notion of some people being dog people and others being cat people, now we know: People who prefer the same type of pet tend to share certain distinct personality traits, too.
Researchers at Carroll University surveyed 600 college students about whether they considered themselves dog people or cat people, as well as what they think the best qualities are in a pet. Those students were also given a personality test—and it turns out that there are some pretty clear commonalities among both groups.
Feline fans, who made up only 11 percent of the people surveyed, scored higher than dog people when it came to intelligence and sensitivity. Researchers also discovered that the people who liked cats in the study were typically less extroverted, less practical, and had less self-control than the dog people. On the flip side, dog lovers—who accounted for 59 percent of people in the study—tended to be more outgoing, more rule-abiding, and less sensitive.
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Of course, there are definite exceptions to the rule. “Outgoing cat people and introverted dog people exist,†says study author Denise Gustello, Ph.D., associate professor at Carroll University in Wisconsin. “I’m an example of that.â€
Still, the overarching trends make a certain amount of sense: Cats typically live indoors and are cautious of others, so they likely appeal to people who value their alone time. And it’s not exactly surprising that dog people, on the other hand, would drawn to animals that like to be outside and are generally more social.
One thing’s for sure: Whether you prefer felines or canines, you’ll certainly appreciate these 10 photos of hot male celebs with their pets.
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