To Be Announced. To Be Announced. The methodology I am using is electrophysiological and currently revolves around studies of the N400 waveform, associated with semantic incongruence. However, although this belief is commonplace, very few studies have empirically tested the extent to which it is based upon fact. The overall aim of this thesis, therefore, is to investigate whether pet ownership can help to alleviate loneliness.
Pets lead to increased levels of social contact which in turn accounts for reductions in loneliness.
The results of my research so far suggest that the effect of pet ownership on loneliness is not as readily apparent as might be expected, given the strength of popular belief that seems to exist. Should pet ownership be found to cause lower levels of any of these factors it is hypothesised that this might account for the widespread belief that pet ownership can alleviate loneliness. That is, it may be that pet ownership reduces the negative consequences of loneliness, but not loneliness per se. To Be Announced. To Be Announced.