Abstract

Is it not their rich capacity for communication that allows horses to form bonds not only with one another, but also with humans? They express a wide range of emotions through their facial expressions and vocalizations, and are keenly attuned to even the slightest changes in a companion’s expression or tone of voice. They can read the atmosphere, show consideration for others, and even experience jealousy. What can animal psychology contribute toward creating a future in which we coexist more harmoniously with these irreplaceable companions?

Author’s Information

Ayaka Takimoto was born in Wakayama Prefecture in 1984. She completed her doctoral studies in literature at Kyoto University Graduate School of Letters in 2012. After serving as a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow, she became an associate professor at the Graduate School of Letters of Hokkaido University in 2015. Her specialties are animal psychology and comparative cognitive science. Her co-authored books include "Understanding Mental Development Through Comparison: A Perspective from Comparative Cognitive Developmental Science" (Yuhikaku), "Humans in Love: An Approach from the Humanities" (Hokkaido University Press), and "Iwanami Lecture Series on Cognitive Science of Communication 4: Coexistence in Society" (Iwanami Shoten). Recently, she has been focusing on comparative research of mammals with different co-parenting roles and styles in order to get closer to the essence of human co-parenting.