Study: Horses read, remember human faces

 Taken from - https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2018/04/26/Study-Horses-read-remember-human-faces/2611524770572/ (last accessed 23-03-22)

"In a series of experiments, researchers at the universities of Sussex and Portsmouth showed domestic horses photographs of humans with either a happy or angry expression on their faces. Later, the horses were introduced to the people they saw in the photographs, this time with neutral expressions."

"Researchers watched the eye movements of horses as they met the photograph subjects in real life. The horses perceived those who had been photographed with an angry face as more threatening."

"Previous research showed horses tend to focus on negative or threatening objects and events with their left eye, as the right hemisphere of their brain is tasked with assessing risk. In the new experiment, researchers found horses stared at subjects who had been photographed with an angry expression using their left eye."

""What we've found is that horses can not only read human facial expressions but they can also remember a person's previous emotional state when they meet them later that day -- and, crucially, that they adapt their behaviour accordingly," Karen McComb, a professor at the University of Sussex, said in a news release. "Essentially horses have a memory for emotion.""

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Taking therapy outside benefits patients and therapists

22 January 2020 - Link to article

Talking therapy sessions held outdoors in natural settings can be more beneficial than those held inside.

That is the finding of research by chartered psychologist Dr Sam Cooley being presented today at the annual conference of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Clinical Psychology in Solihull.

Dr Sam Cooley, from the University of Leicester, said:

“Talking therapy is an established and effective form of support for a range of mental health difficulties, but it appears the four walls of the therapy room aren’t always the most effective place for it.”

The researchers conducted a review of 38 previous pieces of research into outdoor therapy published since 1994, which involved 322 therapists and 163 patients.

They found that therapy conducted outdoors benefited from providing patients with increased freedom to express themselves, and created a greater connection between therapist, patient and the natural world.

It also provided benefits for therapists themselves, with wellbeing increasing when conducting therapy sessions outdoors.

The therapists included clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors and psychodynamic psychotherapists.

Dr Sam Cooley added:

“Outdoor therapy can provide an alternative approach with real benefits for both clients and therapists.

The option of outdoor therapy should be included in more training curriculums and formalised to provide genuine choice to clients when the circumstances are right for it.”

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