Improbable researchResearch This article is more than 19 years oldBearded men fail to tickle feline fancy
This article is more than 19 years oldGauging the reaction of fur to fuzz required delicate preparation, reveals Marc AbrahamsMore than a decade has passed since the publication of the research report "Feline Reactions to Bearded Men". The research still puzzles many scientists. The idea was simple: cats were exposed to photographs of bearded men. Scientists noted their reactions.
Initially, cats were exposed to photographs of Robert Bork, an American lawyer who was once nominated for a position on the Supreme Court. Bork has what is known as an "underbeard" - his facial hair is located primarily below the chin, rather than on and/or astride the chin and cheeks. However, this phase of the research was halted by animal rights activists.
The scientists, Catherine Maloney, Sarah J Lichtblau, Nadya Karpook, Carolyn Chou and Anthony Arena-DeRosa, were forced to begin anew. This time they used photographs of men with non-under-beards of various sizes.
Each of the 214 cats in the study was exposed to the photographs, one photo at a time, for a span of 20 seconds.
While each cat was viewing the photographs, it was held by a laboratory assistant. To ensure that the cats were not influenced by stroking or other unconscious cues from the assistant, the assistant was anaesthetised prior to each session. The cats' reactions were assessed for changes in pulse rate, respiration, eye dilation, fur shed rate, and qualitative behaviour.
Altogether, the work took eight months. At the end of that time, the researchers concluded that, basically, cats are indifferent to photographs of bearded men. NOTE: This week's report may be apocryphal, yet instructive.
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