The scale asks student respondents to rate the animal images from “not at all calm (the least I’ve ever seen)” to “very cute (the most fragile thing I’ve ever seen. never) ”.
They can then add additional descriptions of how the animal makes them feel “calm, happy, humiliated, tempted”.
The selection of photos was then shortened to 45 of the most sensitive animals – enough to fill a five-minute miniature break.
In the second phase of the study Dr. Ragsdale compares different microbreak activities that humans may be prone to perform, or have easy access to, while sitting at a computer.
“It is recognized that all actions are focused on different aspects of helping people to recover quickly.
“Breaking the images of graceful animals is expected to increase emotional resources, breaking breathing exercises is expected to reduce stress, and breaking the puzzles is expected to help improve people’s mental resources,” she explained. .
All of these activities are compared to a control setting, where people get access to anything they want during the five-minute microbreak.
Dr Raagsdale said the research team was now looking to welcome “as wide a selection of cute pets as possible” to take part in the research and were asked by FirstVet, the service video doctor consultation, to invite British pets to engage.
Those pets selected for inclusion in the survey will have their photos reviewed over the coming months, and the owners will be notified of the results via email.
David Prien, Chief Executive of FirstVet, said: “People’s passion for their pets has never been seen sharper than the competition for who owns the most beloved animal.
“Now, for the first time, Britons are being given the chance to scientifically test their pet’s vulnerability. We’re delighted to be able to take part in this friendly competition – and to celebrate the amazing subculture that looks so much at animal photography. ”
For a science opportunity to prove how cute your pet is, send a photo and name of your favorite animal, along with your name, to: [email protected].