Females who maltreat animals

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Criminology
• Veterinary Science

Background:

• Studies on animal maltreatment and aggression primarily focus on males.
• This focus raises questions about the nature of similar behaviors in females.
• Understanding gender differences can enhance comprehension of animal maltreatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gender similarities and differences in animal maltreatment.
• To explore specific patterns of animal cruelty and hoarding in relation to gender.
• To contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychology behind animal maltreatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies addressing gender in animal maltreatment.
• Analysis of observations on childhood animal cruelty and animal hoarding.
• Comparative examination of behavioral patterns between genders.

Main Results:

• Substantial, recurrent animal cruelty is more common in males, aligning with higher rates of conduct disorder in boys.
• Animal cruelty may be more prevalent in girls than commonly assumed.
• Animal hoarding is predominantly observed in females, especially older, solitary individuals, with distinct psychological profiles.

Conclusions:

• Gender plays a significant role in the manifestation of animal maltreatment.
• Animal cruelty and animal hoarding represent different behavioral patterns with distinct gender distributions and underlying psychologies.
• Findings have implications for developmental and gender psychology, informing targeted interventions and research.