A method for rating the individual distinctiveness of domestic cats

Julie Feaver*, Michael Mendl, Patrick Bateson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

160 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Fourteen adult female domestic cats were watched by two observers for 3 months. Ratings of 18 aspects of each cat's behavioural style were obtained independently from each observer. Correlations between observers were statistically significant for 15 of the 18 aspects and seven of the correlation coefficients were greater than 0·7. The ratings were compared with results of direct recording methods, where equivalent measures were available and, in five out of six cases, the results of the ratings and direct methods were significantly correlated. The rating method is, therefore, generally reliable and can be adequately validated. Some assessments of observer ratings which are not obviously and easily related to direct recordings may prove particularly useful in developmental studies of alternative modes of behaviour and the origins of individual differences.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1016-1025
Number of pages10
JournalAnimal Behaviour
Volume34
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 1986

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