As man’s best friend, dogs have long been known to have a calming influence on their owners.
But just having a picture of your pooch on your desk may be enough to reduce anger – and even violence – in the workplace by one third, scientists have found.
A simple photograph of a cute pet dampens aggression and make fisticuffs with co-workers less likely.
It is not clear whether the image itself has the pacifying effect, or whether those who choose to have a picture of their pet at work are less likely to be angry and aggressive more generally.
But previous research has shown that owning a dog can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase levels of the so-called ‘cuddle hormone’, oxytocin.
One theory put forward by the researchers is that an image of a cute pooch dampens down the body’s fight or flight response when faced with threatening situations.
‘These results provide the first empirical evidence that the presence of dogs decreases anger and aggression in humans,’ said the researchers, from the State University of New York.
‘Images of one’s pet dog could be used to help improve cooperation among co-workers in the workplace and help them deal with conflict and anger in healthier and more socially acceptable ways.
A simple photograph of a cute pet dampens aggression and make fisticuffs with co-workers less likely
Having a picture of your pooch on your desk may be enough to reduce anger – and even violence – in the workplace by one third, scientists have found
‘This could lead to lower employee turnover, which could save employers time and money by not having to consistently hire new employees when previous employees resign due to interpersonal conflict and negative emotions.
‘The benefits to employees, co-workers, and employers could be substantial.’
The research involved 400 people, who were either exposed to noise designed to provoke anger, or told they had been insulted at work.
Those with pictures of their pet in the office were one third less angry when faced with these scenarios, and two thirds less likely to want to resort to physical harm in retaliation for an insult.
But writing in the journal Anthrozoös, the researchers cautioned that it may not work with dogs associated with aggression, such as ‘chow chows or pit bulls’.
