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brooklynite

(93,834 posts)
Wed Jun 17, 2015, 03:46 PM Jun 2015

BREAKING NEWS! Watching cat videos is good for you (really!)

Indiana university:

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- If you get a warm, fuzzy feeling after watching cute cat videos online, the effect may be more profound than you think.

The Internet phenomenon of watching cat videos, from Lil Bub to Grumpy Cat, does more than simply entertain; it boosts viewers' energy and positive emotions and decreases negative feelings, according to a new study by an Indiana University Media School researcher.

The study, by assistant professor Jessica Gall Myrick, surveyed almost 7,000 people about their viewing of cat videos and how it affects their moods. It was published in the latest issue of Computers in Human Behavior. Lil Bub's owner, Mike Bridavsky, who lives in Bloomington, helped distribute the survey via social media.

...snip...

Participants in Myrick's study reported:
- They were more energetic and felt more positive after watching cat-related online media than before.
- They had fewer negative emotions, such as anxiety, annoyance and sadness, after watching cat-related online media than before.
- They often view Internet cats at work or during studying.
- The pleasure they got from watching cat videos outweighed any guilt they felt about procrastinating.
- Cat owners and people with certain personality traits, such as agreeableness and shyness, were more likely to watch cat videos.
- About 25 percent of the cat videos they watched were ones they sought out; the rest were ones they happened upon.
- They were familiar with many so-called "celebrity cats," such as Nala Cat and Henri, Le Chat Noir.


Go ahead; you know you want to.....


22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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BREAKING NEWS! Watching cat videos is good for you (really!) (Original Post) brooklynite Jun 2015 OP
Having them in the home as live-in entertainment is even better! House of Roberts Jun 2015 #1
dog and other animals also Liberal_in_LA Jun 2015 #2
Meow shenmue Jun 2015 #3
Absolutely. 840high Jun 2015 #19
Critters are good for hoomins. hifiguy Jun 2015 #4
My favorites: Henri and Nora rocktivity Jun 2015 #5
Piano cat is so cute passiveporcupine Jun 2015 #15
The only thing better than a cat video... Cracklin Charlie Jun 2015 #6
Was there ever any doubt? joeybee12 Jun 2015 #7
Software developers have always known this Matariki Jun 2015 #8
Thank you Aerows Jun 2015 #9
This makes a ton of sense alboe Jun 2015 #10
don't forget broccoli kitten Voice for Peace Jun 2015 #11
That is hysterical passiveporcupine Jun 2015 #16
Well duh! Everybody knows this. Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 #12
This video has been cracking me up: Lars39 Jun 2015 #13
It works with birdiez too... BlancheSplanchnik Jun 2015 #14
OK, that is amazing passiveporcupine Jun 2015 #18
Shenanigans! The lounge commissioned this study! chknltl Jun 2015 #17
Thank God...because I think it's the only thing I'm doing that's good for me. SunSeeker Jun 2015 #20
i have to wonder if this applies equally to other types of videos 0rganism Jun 2015 #21
Really? BeanMusical Jun 2015 #22

passiveporcupine

(8,175 posts)
15. Piano cat is so cute
Wed Jun 17, 2015, 06:16 PM
Jun 2015

It doesn't surprise me that she plays it. My cats love it when I whistle or sing to them. They come running for love and music.

Cracklin Charlie

(12,904 posts)
6. The only thing better than a cat video...
Wed Jun 17, 2015, 04:32 PM
Jun 2015

Is a cat video wrapped in bacon!

I don't get to have a cat, unless you count the one that sits on my front porch to make my dogs bark, so I have to watch videos of other people's cats. I try to watch one every day.

My husband tells me to run that kitty off the porch, but I think it is hilarious that he sits out there and torments my dogs. He can keep a "you're so lame" look on his face for an hour. You would think he would have better things to do. One day, I looked outside, and he was 25 feet off the ground in my pine tree. Fifteen minutes later he was back on the porch. I should video him.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
9. Thank you
Wed Jun 17, 2015, 04:39 PM
Jun 2015

I needed that. The second one is hilarious - I love the way he tries to slyly close the drawer like "Me? I wasn't doing anything!"

alboe

(192 posts)
10. This makes a ton of sense
Wed Jun 17, 2015, 04:44 PM
Jun 2015

although I rarely watch the videos. Just for you, brooklynite, I'll watch this one.

passiveporcupine

(8,175 posts)
16. That is hysterical
Wed Jun 17, 2015, 06:23 PM
Jun 2015

I had a cat that went nuts over green olives, and would chew my fingers if they had the juice on them. But broccoli? Wow...I'm going to have to try that.

passiveporcupine

(8,175 posts)
18. OK, that is amazing
Wed Jun 17, 2015, 06:30 PM
Jun 2015

I had a starling that would whistle "Bridge over the River Kwai", but he couldn't remember that much of it...just part of a verse. I can't believe this bird has such good memory that he whistles the whole verse. Wow, that is so cool.

0rganism

(23,855 posts)
21. i have to wonder if this applies equally to other types of videos
Wed Jun 17, 2015, 06:43 PM
Jun 2015

maybe it boils down to "watching videos you like makes you happier and everyone likes cat vids"

to eliminate this possibility, there'd need to be a double blind test where a control group watched fake cat videos...

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