Cats 'exploit' humans by purring

edesignuk · Jul 14, 2009, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Cat owners may have suspected as much, but it seems our feline friends have found a way to manipulate us humans.

Researchers at the University of Sussex have discovered that cats use a "soliciting purr" to overpower their owners and garner attention and food.

Unlike regular purring, this sound incorporates a "cry", with a similar frequency to a human baby's.

The team said cats have "tapped into" a human bias - producing a sound that humans find very difficult to ignore.

BBC.

Cheeky little buggers! I love 'em though

anjinha · Jul 14, 2009, 02:34 AM

My cat does better: he meows, purrs and yawns at the same time. It's freakin' adorable!

Krafty · Jul 14, 2009, 02:35 AM

Really? Out of all the things, thats the best they can research?

sushi · Jul 14, 2009, 02:35 AM

I'm sorry, but the story is bunk.

People don't own cats. Rather cats own their people.

.Andy · Jul 14, 2009, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krafty

Really? Out of all the things, thats the best they can research?

Knowledge appears flippant to all who can't see an application.

killerrobot · Jul 14, 2009, 02:38 AM

Funny how animals have a tendency to use us. I thought we were the more intelligent species.

I watched this today and this article reminded me of it

http://www.hulu.com/watch/82347/the-...tended-trailer

Click forward to 3:03.

EDIT: For those who can't watch it on Hulu, try http://www.fox.com/cleveland/
click watch trailer preview, then skip again to 3:03

arkitect · Jul 14, 2009, 03:09 AM

Humm. I wish they had paid me — I would have given them years' worth of research.

I know that "soliciting purr" too well. Especially around 5 in the morning (summer time) if the bedroom door isn't locked "properly".

Krafty · Jul 14, 2009, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .Andy

Knowledge appears flippant to all who can't see an application.

And if my anus had wheels, I'd be a mean wagon.

andalusia · Jul 14, 2009, 03:13 AM

This explains much...

conch575 · Jul 14, 2009, 03:15 AM

Cats are scary. Especially when you're just about to fall asleep, then you hear one make a "reow" cat noise.

toolbox · Jul 14, 2009, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conch575

Cats are scary. Especially when you're just about to fall asleep, then you hear one make a "reow" cat noise.

Yep my cat used to do that when i lived back home at my parents OR they jump on your bed and land on you

pb1300 · Jul 14, 2009, 05:03 AM

My cats do that all the time. The little one, which weighs about 2 pounds, eats as much as she weighs, per day. As soon as I go in the house, she will come in and start purring and crying for food.

OT: Why do cats stick their butts up in the air when you scratch them there?

conch575 · Jul 14, 2009, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toolbox

Yep my cat used to do that when i lived back home at my parents OR they jump on your bed and land on you

That is exactly why I am not a pet person. They scare me!

iBlue · Jul 14, 2009, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pb1300

OT: Why do cats stick their butts up in the air when you scratch them there?

Have you not ever been touched in such a way that it makes you squirm? I imagine that's what it is, kind of like being tickled but not as menacing. At least this is what I make of it. My cat translator is still in the works.

Puuuurrrrrrrrrrr

BoyBach · Jul 14, 2009, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushi

I'm sorry, but the story is bunk.

People don't own cats. Rather cats own their people.

Exactly! Dogs have owners. Cats have slaves.

Abstract · Jul 14, 2009, 08:24 AM

It's funny, because cats also 'meow' towards humans. Cats don't make that noise towards any other animal.

Vogue Harper · Jul 14, 2009, 08:24 AM

I listened to that and have to say that for something that had to be 'researched' by a bunch of academics it all strikes me as being slightly obvious. High pitched, urgent meow, cat wants something? Their research has nothing on lolcats as a work on feline behaviour

anjinha · Jul 14, 2009, 08:25 AM

*hugs cat*

iGary · Jul 14, 2009, 08:30 AM

I loves me some kittehs.

iShater · Jul 14, 2009, 08:33 AM

Before breakfast my cat purrs like crazy. He has been very close and attentive.

After breakfast, he gives the "do I know you?" look.

It was an interesting article when I read it, and I wanted to listen closer to his purr. However, I was running kinda late this morning and just gave him chow before he even got close to me.

sushi · Jul 14, 2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoyBach

Dogs have owners. Cats have slaves.

Ah, much better stated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iShater

After breakfast, he gives the "do I know you?" look.

Snort. That look is golden especially when given from above as they bask on a piece of tall furniture.

iShater · Jul 14, 2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushi

Snort. That look is golden especially when given from above as they bask on a piece of tall furniture.

I had a cat once that never gave the look and gave those nose taps on demand. She was the bestest cat evaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Unspoken Demise · Jul 14, 2009, 08:43 AM

Manipulative little s***!
Whatever. He's cute. Its not like I need to be manipulated to give him luvz.

mscriv · Jul 14, 2009, 08:53 AM

It's truly hard to beat a purring cat in terms of persuasiveness and affection. It just gets ya right there, deep down.

Melrose · Jul 14, 2009, 10:50 AM

I've got a kitten on my lap right now and she's purring, also nipping at my fingers. She really is Teh Cuteness.

I would imagine cats are pretty conniving.

Jul 14, 2009, 02:34 AM	#2
anjinha macrumors 604 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London, UK	My cat does better: he meows, purrs and yawns at the same time. It's freakin' adorable! __________________ Thank you Steve.
	0

Jul 14, 2009, 02:35 AM	#3
Krafty macrumors 601 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: La La Land	Really? Out of all the things, thats the best they can research? __________________ I accept women of all descent. But I'm a hell of a lot creepier around asians. [ twitter : deviant : portfolio : last.fm ]
	0

Jul 14, 2009, 02:35 AM	#4
sushi Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: キャンプスワンピー [Japan]	I'm sorry, but the story is bunk. People don't own cats. Rather cats own their people. __________________ You only live twice, once when you are born, and when you look death in the face. *Basho style poem from 007 YOLT.
	0

Jul 14, 2009, 02:38 AM	#6
killerrobot macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 127.0.0.1	Funny how animals have a tendency to use us. I thought we were the more intelligent species. I watched this today and this article reminded me of it http://www.hulu.com/watch/82347/the-...tended-trailer Click forward to 3:03. EDIT: For those who can't watch it on Hulu, try http://www.fox.com/cleveland/ click watch trailer preview, then skip again to 3:03 __________________ Another day older and deeper in debt.
	0

Jul 14, 2009, 03:13 AM	#9
andalusia macrumors 68030 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The People's Republic of Demistan	This explains much... __________________ Signature deleted.
	0

Jul 14, 2009, 03:09 AM	#7
arkitect macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2005	Humm. I wish they had paid me — I would have given them years' worth of research. I know that "soliciting purr" too well. Especially around 5 in the morning (summer time) if the bedroom door isn't locked "properly".
	0

Jul 14, 2009, 03:15 AM	#10
conch575 macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia	Cats are scary. Especially when you're just about to fall asleep, then you hear one make a "reow" cat noise. __________________ Conch 16GB Black iPhone 4 \| White MacBook \| 21.5" iMac \| MacBook Pro 15" 2011 I'll buy anything that's shiny and made by Apple
	0

Jul 14, 2009, 05:03 AM	#12
pb1300 Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Aigio, Greece	My cats do that all the time. The little one, which weighs about 2 pounds, eats as much as she weighs, per day. As soon as I go in the house, she will come in and start purring and crying for food. OT: Why do cats stick their butts up in the air when you scratch them there?
	0

Jul 14, 2009, 08:24 AM	#16
Abstract macrumors G3 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Location Location	It's funny, because cats also 'meow' towards humans. Cats don't make that noise towards any other animal. __________________ "Hard? It's supposed to be hard. Hard is what makes it great!" - Tom Hanks.
	0

Jul 14, 2009, 08:24 AM	#17
Vogue Harper macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Doha, Qatar	I listened to that and have to say that for something that had to be 'researched' by a bunch of academics it all strikes me as being slightly obvious. High pitched, urgent meow, cat wants something? Their research has nothing on lolcats as a work on feline behaviour __________________ Nouvelle Vague
	0

Jul 14, 2009, 08:25 AM	#18
anjinha macrumors 604 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London, UK	hugs cat __________________ Thank you Steve.
	0

Jul 14, 2009, 08:30 AM	#19
iGary Guest Join Date: May 2004 Location: Randy's House	I loves me some kittehs.
	0

Jul 14, 2009, 08:33 AM	#20
iShater macrumors 604 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Chicagoland	Before breakfast my cat purrs like crazy. He has been very close and attentive. After breakfast, he gives the "do I know you?" look. It was an interesting article when I read it, and I wanted to listen closer to his purr. However, I was running kinda late this morning and just gave him chow before he even got close to me. __________________ Insert signature here.
	0

Jul 14, 2009, 08:43 AM	#23
Unspoken Demise Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: >9,000	Manipulative little s***! Whatever. He's cute. Its not like I need to be manipulated to give him luvz.
	0

Jul 14, 2009, 08:53 AM	#24
mscriv macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Dallas, Texas	It's truly hard to beat a purring cat in terms of persuasiveness and affection. It just gets ya right there, deep down. __________________ I'm a professional therapist. If I deem our forum interaction to be professional in nature then I will bill you. Prompt payment is expected.
	0

Jul 14, 2009, 10:50 AM	#25
Melrose macrumors 601 Join Date: Dec 2007	I've got a kitten on my lap right now and she's purring, also nipping at my fingers. She really is Teh Cuteness. I would imagine cats are pretty conniving. __________________ i7 MBP 17" • iPad 3 • iPhone 4
	0

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