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Article
Not the Cat’s Meow?: The Impact of Posing with Cats on Female Perceptions of Male Dateability
Animals
  • Lori Kogan, Colorado State University
  • Shelly Volsche, Boise State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2020
Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether men were considered more attractive when posing for a photo alone or holding a cat. Prior research suggests that women view pet owners as more attractive and dateable than non-pet owners; however, this effect was strongest with dog owners. We hypothesized that men posing with cats would be more attractive than those posing alone. Using an online survey, women viewed images of a man posing alone or with a cat and rated the men on the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) and the Big Five Inventory. Women viewed men as less masculine when holding the cat; higher in neuroticism, agreeableness, and openness; and less dateable. These findings suggest that pets continue to play a role in women’s mate choices and dating preferences, but that a closer look at the effects of different species of pets is warranted.

Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Citation Information
Lori Kogan and Shelly Volsche. "Not the Cat’s Meow?: The Impact of Posing with Cats on Female Perceptions of Male Dateability" Animals (2020)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/shelly-volsche/25/