文章大意:本文是说明文。文章主要介绍了英国苏塞克斯大学凯伦·麦库姆博士领导的心理学家团队发现了一种人类通过缓慢眨眼与猫交流的有效方式,这是一种类似于猫之间的互动方式。
A team of psychologists led by Dr. Karen McComb at the University of Sussex in the UK have discovered an effective way for humans to communicate with cats through slow blinking (眨眼睛), similar to how cats interact with each other.
Dr. McComb and her team conducted two experiments to study this phenomenon. In the first study, owners were instructed by researchers Tasmin Humphrey and Andrew Wood to slowly blink at their cats from a distance while being recorded. Humphrey and Wood found the cats were more likely to respond with slow blinking of their own compared to when no interaction took place.
To follow up on these findings, McComb, Humphrey, and Wood designed a second experiment without considering the exsisting relationship between humans and cats. Researchers, including McComb, performed the same slow blinking action. Like in the first experiment, the cats in this study also responded more favorably to slow blinking by returning the gesture and more readily approaching an extended hand, according to Humphrey’s analysis.
The slow blink expression involves partially closing the eyes briefly, copying a relaxed, friendly facial expression in humans. McComb notes that for cats, it appears to signal good intentions as constant staring could be seen as threatening. Wood says that cats may have developed this language to acknowledge humans who react positively to the signal. Being able to effectively communicate acceptance in this subtle cat way seems to strengthen the bond between cats and their owners, McComb adds.
McComb, Humphrey and Wood hope their findings can provide insight into cat behavior and thinking. They also aim to apply this knowledge of cross-species communication to evaluate cat health in various places like veterinary (兽医的) clinics and shelters, according to Humphrey. A deeper understanding of how cats interpret and respond to humans can improve our ability to properly care for household and outdoor cat populations, McComb concludes.
32. How was the second experiment different from the first one?
A.It recorded the interactive behavior of cats. |
B.It required cat owners to blink from a distance. |
C.It studied how cats communicate with each other. |
D.It focused on how cats react to strangers’ slow blinking. |
33. Why may cats develop slow blinking according to experts?
A.To attract their owners’ attention. |
B.To show friendliness to other animals. |
C.To respond to humans’ positive reactions. |
D.To send out a signal for help to their partners. |
34. What do the researchers hope to apply their findings to?
A.Improving cat behavior and habits. |
B.Assessing health conditions of cats. |
C.Developing ways to treat cats’ diseases. |
D.Helping cat owners train their cats quickly. |
35. What does the text mainly talk about?
A.Humans can communicate with cats by blinking slowly. |
B.Extending hands to cats can strengthen the bond with them. |
C.Cats respond favorably to humans’ friendly facial expressions. |
D.Understanding cat signals improves humans’ ability to care for them. |