Bridging human and animal research: a comparative approach to studies of personality and health.
This article evaluates a comparative approach to personality and health research. We (1) review evidence showing that personality exists and can be measured in animals, (2) illustrate the benefits of animal studies for human personality research, (3) illustrate the benefits of human studies for animal personality research, and (4) provide guidelines for making cross-species comparisons. We conclude that a comparative approach can provide unique insights into personality psychology, especially into research on personality, immunity, and health.
Mehta
Pranjal H
PH
Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station A8000, Austin, TX 78712-0187, USA. pmehta@mail.utexas.edu
Gosling
Samuel D
SD
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000502:physiology; D010551:Personality / Q000502:physiology*; D011587:Psychology, Comparative; D013045:Species Specificity