Imagine you’re comparing two heavyweight boxers, but one of them has been training in a state-of-the-art gym while the other has been roughing it out in the wild. You can’t just look at their abilities without considering their experiences! Similar to this scenario, a review of wolf-dog comparisons aims to establish that dogs and wolves perform similarly in social-cognitive tasks and aggression levels when considering their life experiences. This challenges the popular ‘human self-domestication’ hypothesis. However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t mean dogs and wolves are identical creatures! There might be differences we haven’t fully explored yet. So, if you’re fascinated by the fascinating world of dog-wolf comparisons and want to learn more about how these animals think and behave, give the research a read!
The main aim of our review was to convey that, when considering results of all published wolf–dog comparisons, taking the animals’ experiences into account, there is no evidence that dogs outperform wolves in social-cognitive tasks or that they are overall less aggressive than wolves; thus predictions of the most prominent domestication hypotheses, in particular the ‘human self-domestication’ hypothesis are not supported [1]. However, this does not mean that wolves and dogs do not differ (and this is not a claim we made).
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.