BUDEPEST. A study has unveiled that dogs possess an understanding of words that extends beyond mere commands, offering a glimpse into the cognitive capabilities of our beloved four-legged companions.
Conducted at Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest and recently published in the journal Current Biology, the study delved into the intricacies of canine cognition by analyzing brain activity in 18 dogs. Co-author of the study, Marianna Boros, highlighted the significance of the findings, stating, “There has been a long debate on a non-human animal’s ability to understand words referentially.”
The study revealed that dogs can associate words with objects, akin to humans, suggesting a deeper level of comprehension. Boros noted, “Our study is the first where we claim that this is a species-wide capacity.”
During the experiment, dog owners uttered words corresponding to objects familiar to their pets. Subsequently, the researchers presented the dogs with either matching or mismatching objects. Analysis of the dogs’ brain patterns indicated a distinct response when words aligned with objects, mirroring human cognitive processes.
“Dogs can understand that words stand for things… So they activate mental representations and they link the meaning of the word to a mental representation and not just the context,” explained Boros, shedding light on the intricate workings of canine cognition.
The implications of this discovery extend beyond the realm of pet-owner communication, raising questions about the linguistic capacities of animals. The researchers intend to explore whether this ability is unique to dogs or if it transcends to other mammalian species.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
