Watching cat videos online offers a positive emotional reward, according to a recent study. It also makes viewers feel more energized and reduces negative feelings such as stress that they may have had beforehand.
The benefits of consuming the media are worth it to watchers, say the researchers, even though many are often delaying work or school responsibilities to do it.
The study analyzed the responses of 6,795 Internet users who were asked about their cat viewing habits, motivations for doing it, and the emotional effects they experienced. In analyzing the responses researchers also found that fans of cat videos tended to have personalities that skewed toward being shy and agreeable.
That said, only about 36 percent self-identified as cat people compared to the approximately 60 percent who reported liking dogs as well.
According to the lead researcher, the study was conducted to “better understand the effects the internet may have on us as individuals and on society.” She believes that further academic investigations into cat videos could explore their potential use as an affordable form of therapy.
