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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Emma Creighton
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In this paper we examine the scope for valid measures of animal personality to advance animal welfare science. In a wide-ranging review of research on animal personality S.D. Gosling (Psychological Bulletin 127: 45-86, 2001) made a strong case for the existence of stable behavioural styles or personality in a range of different taxa, and explored how valid measures of animal personality may progress pure research in psychology and bioscience. We expand this analysis into the applied science of animal welfare. We address the scope of the published research on animal personality in animal welfare and the strength of the reported methodology. We draw conclusions on the contributions to improvements in welfare identified to date, and identify areas for further research. Four broad areas of reported contribution emerge: selection of service animals, selection for ability to cope with captive environments, compatibility of breeding individuals in endangered species, and likelihood of survival in reintroduction programmes. We add to Gosling's emphasis on the need for valid methodology in measuring animal personality, and reiterate the need for valid measures of animal welfare. We identify an economic influence on the issue of fitting the animal to the environment or the environment to the animal, and we warn of the dangers of selecting by personality without taking into account variation in ability to cope with a range of environmental parameters.
Author(s): Creighton E, Pankhurst S
Publication type: Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)
Publication status: Published
Conference Name: 40th International Congress, International Society for Applied Ethology
Year of Conference: 2006
