Has your cat ever stared at you with those unblinking eyes while knocking your favorite mug off the table? That seemingly calculated move might reveal more about your feline companion than you think. A groundbreaking study by researchers at Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool has developed a detailed questionnaire that can assess whether your cat exhibits psychopathic traits—and The Results might not surprise you.
The Science Behind Feline Psychopathy Assessment
The CAT-Tri+ test consists of 46 statements that pet owners rate on a five-point scale to measure their cat's level of psychopathy. This assessment is based on the triarchic model of psychopathy, which measures three key dimensions: boldness, meanness, and disinhibition. While this framework was originally designed for humans, researchers have successfully adapted it to understand our feline friends' complex personalities.
The test includes statements such as "My cat torments their prey rather than killing it straight away," "my cat vocalizes loudly for no apparent reason," and "my cat is very excitable and goes into overdrive". The research revealed five distinct factors: boldness, disinhibition, meanness, pet-unfriendliness, and human-unfriendliness, providing a comprehensive picture of feline psychological patterns.
The development of this questionnaire involved studying relationships between 2,042 cat owners and their pets, creating a robust scientific foundation for understanding feline behavior patterns. The findings were published in the Journal of Research in Personality, lending credibility to this fascinating exploration of cat psychology.
What These Traits Mean for Your Relationship
The research uncovered intriguing patterns about how different psychopathic traits affect the cat-owner bond. Cats scoring higher in disinhibition and pet-unfriendliness actually predicted better quality relationships with their owners, while meanness and boldness correlated with lower relationship quality. This counterintuitive finding suggests that some traditionally "problematic" behaviors might actually enhance the human-feline connection.
Lead researcher Rebecca Evans, whose own cat Gumball scores highly on the disinhibition scale, explained that "our cats and the differences in their personalities inspired us to start this research". She describes Gumball as "quite vocal, proximity-seeking and excitable," demonstrating how these traits manifest in daily life.
From an evolutionary perspective, these seemingly antisocial behaviors make perfect sense. "It is likely that all cats have an element of psychopathy as it would have once been helpful for their ancestors in terms of acquiring resources: food, territory, and mating opportunities," Evans noted. Your cat's tendency to dominate the neighborhood or show little empathy for your feelings might be hardwired survival instincts from their wild ancestry.
Practical Applications for Cat Care
Understanding your cat's psychopathy score can lead to better care strategies. For instance, cats that score highly for boldness might benefit from more challenging environments with scratching posts or climbing obstacles. Rather than viewing these traits as problematic, the research encourages owners to work with their cat's natural tendencies.
The ultimate goal of this research extends beyond curiosity. The team hopes this psychological understanding can help reduce the number of cats abandoned or surrendered to shelters, where many face euthanasia. By recognizing and accommodating different feline personalities, owners can build stronger, more fulfilling relationships with their pets.
The questionnaire explores various behavioral aspects, including how adventurous your cat is when exploring, reactions to danger, responses to other cats, need for constant stimulation, and adherence to house rules. Additional factors like sudden mood changes, aggression toward new people, and reactions to being petted are also assessed.
This scientific approach to understanding feline personality offers cat owners valuable insights into their pets' inner lives. Whether your cat exhibits bold exploration behaviors, shows little regard for your expensive furniture, or maintains an aloof independence, these traits reflect complex evolutionary adaptations rather than simple-detail-on-your-duvet-does-better-than-any-heating-setting-it-s-more-effective-and-here-s">simple behavioral problems. The research team believes that knowing your cat's psychopathy score can ultimately improve the human-cat relationship, creating more harmonious households where both species can thrive together.
If you're curious about your own feline's psychological profile, the questionnaire is available online, offering a scientifically-backed window into your cat's fascinating mind.