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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBREAKING NEWS! Watching cat videos is good for you (really!)
Indiana university: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.....
House of Roberts
(5,119 posts)Unless you're allergic to them.
Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)shenmue
(38,501 posts)Medical squee!
840high
(17,196 posts)hifiguy
(33,688 posts)Always have been and always will be.
rocktivity
(44,555 posts)rocktivity
passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)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)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.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)KNR
Matariki
(18,775 posts)that's why the internet is made of cats
Aerows
(39,961 posts)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)although I rarely watch the videos. Just for you, brooklynite, I'll watch this one.
Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)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.
Nuclear Unicorn
(19,497 posts)Except those who have no souls.
Lars39
(26,093 posts)BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)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.
chknltl
(10,558 posts)(My dog made me post that headline.)
SunSeeker
(51,364 posts)0rganism
(23,855 posts)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...
BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)Ooh what a great way to feel better.