#26: Dr. Daniel Mills on understanding animal emotions and behavior

In this episode of the Research Bites podcast, host Dr. Kristina Spaulding interviews Professor Daniel Mills, a renowned expert in veterinary behavioral medicine from the University of Lincoln. They explore the complexities of animal behavior, the evolution of different behavioral models, and the role of emotions in influencing behavior. Professor Mills shares insights from his extensive research, including the development of the psychobiological model for assessing animal behavior and his work on using AI to detect emotions and pain in animals.

Key Topics Covered:

• Behavioral Models Explained: Differences between the medical, behavioral, and psychobiological approaches to animal behavior.
• The Role of Emotion in Behavior: Considering internal states is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of animal behavior.
• AI and Emotion Detection: How artificial intelligence is being used to recognize emotions and pain in animals, including dogs, cats, and horses.
• The Impact of Cognitive Load: How factors like discomfort or anxiety can affect an animal's cognitive capacity and behavior.
• Human-Animal Interactions: How dogs respond to human facial expressions and vocal cues, and the importance of building a positive relationship with pets.
• Challenges in Scientific Communication: Addressing the uncertainty of science, biases, and the influence of beliefs on interpreting behavior.

Key Quotes:

•  "Dogs live in an emotional world, often looking to synchronize their emotions with those of their human companions." 
• "Science is about reducing uncertainty, not finding absolute truths."

Timestamps:

• [00:05:45] Discussion of different behavioral models
• [00:18:47] The function and importance of emotions in animals
• [00:24:03] Using AI for emotion recognition in animals
• [00:46:47] The effects of cognitive load on behavior
• [00:48:42] How dogs respond to human emotions and facial expressions
• [00:59:57] The complexities of scientific communication

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Daniel Mills' 
  • On Facebook
  • At the University of Lincoln

For more information, please check out my website and social media links below!

• https://sciencemattersllc.com/
• Facebook
• Instagram