American psychologists from Lyon College and Kansas State University have discovered that domestic cats have hundreds of facial expressions that they use when interacting with other cats. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Behavioral Process (BP).
Over time, domestic cats gained a reputation as independent and emotionless creatures. Many also view them as antisocial. However, this idea may be unfair. Experts found that pets have 276 different facial expressions. By comparison, humans can produce only 44 similar grimaces.
For a year, researchers visited one of the cat cafes in Los Angeles, interacting with the four-legged feline residents and recording their facial expressions.
After examining the material, scientists concluded that 45% of the described emotions express friendly feelings, 37% are manifestations of aggression, and the remaining 18% indicate something between the first and the second.
Psychologists have not been able to determine what messages cats are conveying through most of their facial expressions. Experts expect to study this issue in the future.
Previous scientists I learnedThis popular culture has ruined the image of cats.