Dogs’ brains are sensitive to the familiar high-pitched “cute” voice tone that adult humans, especially women, use to talk to babies, according to a new study.
The research, published recently in the journal Communications Biology, found “exciting similarities” between infant and dog brains during the processing of speech with such a high-pitched tone feature.
Humans tend to speak with a specific speech style characterised by exaggerated prosody, or patterns of stress and intonation in a language, when communicating with individuals having limited language competence.
Such speech has previously been found to be very important for the healthy cognitive, social and language development of children, who are also tuned to such a high-pitched voice.
But researchers, including those from the Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary, hoped to assess whether dog brains are also sensitive to this way of communication.
In the study, conscious family dogs were made to listen to dog, infant and adult-directed speech recorded from 12 women and men in real-life interactions.
As the dogs listened, their brain activities were measured using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan.
The study found the sound-processing regions of the dogs’ brains responded more to dog- and infant-directed than adult-directed speech.
This marked the first neurological evidence that dog brains are tuned to speech directed specifically at them.
“Studying how dog brains process dog-directed speech is exciting, because it can help us understand how exaggerated prosody contributes to efficient speech processing in a nonhuman species skilled at relying on different speech cues,” explained Anna Gergely, co-first author of the study.
Scientists also found dog- and infant-directed speech sensitivity of dog brains was more pronounced when the speakers were women, and was affected by voice pitch and its variation.
These findings suggest the way we speak to dogs matters, and that their brain is specifically sensitive to the higher-pitched voice tone typical to the female voice.
“Remarkably, the voice tone patterns characterizing women’s dog-directed speech are not typically used in dog-dog communication – our results may thus serve evidence for a neural preference that dogs developed during their domestication,” said Anna Gábor, co-first author of the study.
“Dog brains’ increased sensitivity to dog-directed speech spoken by women specifically may be due to the fact that women more often speak to dogs with exaggerated prosody than men,” Dr Gabor said.
The dog is trying to sell vegetables to the poor owner, hoping to receive support from everyone, touching millions of people
In the bustling market where struggles and stories unfold, a touching scene recently captured the attention of onlookers and warmed the hearts of millions. This unique spectacle featured a loyal dog assisting its impoverished owner in selling goods, creating a bond that transcends the boundaries of hardship.
Amidst the chaotic marketplace, where vendors vie for attention and customers navigate through a sea of options, a particular duo stood out. An owner, burdened by economic challenges, was accompanied by a faithful canine companion, forming an inseparable team. The dog, demonstrating unwavering loyalty and dedication, actively participated in the sales process, capturing the admiration of those who witnessed this extraordinary partnership.
What makes this scene even more remarkable is the evident synergy between the two. The owner and the dog seem to communicate without words, relying on a silent understanding that goes beyond the confines of human and animal interaction. The dog, equipped with an improvised carrying harness, dutifully helps transport and display the goods, showcasing a level of cooperation and companionship that goes beyond the ordinary.
Passersby and market-goers couldn’t help but be moved by the resilience of this dynamic duo. In a world often preoccupied with its challenges, the scene serves as a poignant reminder of the unbreakable bond that can exist between humans and animals. It goes beyond the transactional nature of a market, transcending economic struggles to unveil a narrative of companionship and mutual support.
The viral nature of the scene has led to an outpouring of support and empathy from people worldwide. Social media platforms have been flooded with comments expressing admiration for the dog’s loyalty and the owner’s determination. Many have shared their own stories of unique connections with animals, emphasizing the profound impact these relationships can have on individuals facing adversity.
This heartwarming scene serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the incredible capacity of animals to provide solace and support. In the midst of life’s challenges, the bond between this owner and their dog shines as a beacon of hope, reminding us all of the extraordinary connections that can flourish, even in the most unexpected places.
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