Comparative anthropomorphism and affective valence shape role perception and relational behaviours in human-pet dyads in Romania

This study examines the association between attitudes toward animals, anthropomorphic tendencies, and beliefs about the social role of companion animals (cats and dogs) in the household. We hypothesised that beliefs about the social role of companion animals are shaped both by general attitudes toward animals, including opinions about the emotional and cognitive abilities of the animals, and by a higher tendency to anthropomorphise expressed by pet owners. We investigated behavioural expressions, such as communication and reconciliation with the animal, and perceived social support as relational outcomes between owners and their pets. Data were collected via questionnaires from a sample of 445 cat and dog guardians from Romania, where cultural norms around companion animals are under-researched. The findings indicate that anthropomorphic thinking is a stronger predictor of the perceived social role of the pet in the familial structure than general attitudes toward animals. Moreover, our findings indicate that pet role perception partially mediates the relational outcomes: participants who ascribed their pets a more influential social role reported a higher level of communicative and reconciliatory behaviour, as well as greater social support. This study also explores the valence of anthropomorphic attribution, whether positive, negative, or mixed. The findings reflect that participants vary in the attribution of exclusively positive, exclusively negative, or mixed qualities to their pets. These results highlight nuanced psychological processes that are shaping the emotional and behavioural landscape of human-pet relationships, and can be further integrated in educational contexts, including preparation for adoption, fostering and pet management programs.