Empathy and attitudes to animals

Abstract

There is increasing support for the idea that human attitudes to animals may be indicative of human–human empathy. This has implications for the treatment of empathy deficits and related anti-social behaviors. The purpose of the present study was to explicitly investigate links between human–human empathy and attitudes to animals. The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and Animal Attitude Scale (AAS) were administered to 194 undergraduate Sociology and Psychology students. A significant correlation between empathy levels, gender, companion animal ownership and attitudes to animals was found. Implications of these findings are discussed.     

Changing attitudes towards British mammals

This century has seen major changes in the composition of the British mammal fauna and the abundance of many species, but attitudes towards mammals have changed significantly only relatively recently. The influence of the Mammal Society, popular books, conservation campaigns, radio and television are considered. The passing of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is identified as a turning point and major catalyst in developing new and positive attitudes, especially towards bats. Attitudes of an essentially urban public towards animals are increasingly unrelated to questions of economic utility and are becoming more paternalistic and protective. They also foster popular campaigns to ban blood sports which need careful appraisal because saving individuals of some common species may lead to loss of whole populations of others as a result of habitat changes.     

Correlates of attitudes toward euthanasia

Abstract

Data from a national survey conducted in 1977 were examined to identify correlates of attitudes toward euthanasia and suicide for terminally ill persons. The results indicated that race, religious participation, and attitudes toward freedom of expression were directly associated with such attitudes. It was also found that regional variations in such attitudes could be explained by the degree of urbanization of geographic regions.     

Japanese attitudes towards foreign languages

The purpose of this study is to clarify Japanese attitudes towards foreign languages based on the kinds and changes of TV and radio programs that aired on the Japanese national broadcasting station (NHK) between 1955 and 2000. Foreign language programs are classified into three groups according to their content: 1) cultivation, 2) education, or 3) communication. For Japanese people, foreign languages are the measures of intelligence and intellect. Studying a foreign language is considered a sign of intelligence whether or not it is used for actual communication. The number of foreign language programs has increased tremendously since 1965 in part because the global economy has brought many countries in such close contact. Since 1990, programs for the purpose of communication have increased because of the necessity to communicate with foreign people. Japanese attitudes towards studying foreign languages have been changing gradually from an intellectual purpose to a communication purpose.     

关于我国国民环境的态度调查

2004年10月随机抽取了北京、上海、河北、河南、湖南、陕西六省市对5000余位国民做了环境态度问卷调查.了解我国民众的生态观念、制约因素、以及潜在的保护环境的动机.调查结果显示,91%的被访者感到我国环境已严重恶化,78%的被访者支持政府耗资3000多亿元人民币开展退耕还林项目.居民的环境意识同经济收入、受教育水平、年龄、职业、居住环境有着密切关系,其中经济收入和受教育水平是影响居民环境意识变化的首要因素.区域差异分析结果表明,我国现阶段的环境压力主要集中在贫困的边远山区和快速崛起的城市周边地区,把发展经济、改善教育、提高居民的生活质量与环境修复有机地结合起来,是生态政策管理的根本途径.     

Teenage sexual attitudes in China

Abstract

Not much is known about the sexual attitudes of Chinese teenagers. In this article we endeavor to address this void by examining the sexual attitudes of Chinese teenagers with survey data collected in Sichuan Province in 1988. Our analysis has two goals: first, to describe aggregate attitudes toward premarital sexual practices; and second, to identify the principal factors that influence these attitudes. To accomplish the second goal we estimate several regression equations with predictor variables known to influence teen sexual attitudes. Our analysis reveals major differences and similarities between China and the United States and indicates that China's teenagers are somewhat strongly opposed to teen sexual contact, but seem to be more understanding of others who so engage, despite strict laws and public morality forbidding it.