THE SOCIAL LIFE OF CATS

A new study shows that rapid facial mimicry is especially important for the social interaction between cats.

In the last decade, there has been a surge in studies showing that cats actually possess a remarkable level of social intelligence – although these signs are often harder to detect compared to other species. After decades of focusing on primates, corvids, and dogs, recent years have seen an increasing amount of research on the social cognition of cats.

A recent study sheds light on an important aspect of this: “rapid facial mimicry.” This refers to the natural phenomenon where imitating the facial expressions of another animal helps facilitate social interaction. Smiling in response to a smile or frowning in response to a frown are examples of rapid facial mimicry. It’s typically an unconscious, automatic reaction, rather than something we do intentionally. We already know that rapid facial mimicry plays a crucial role in the social lives of macaques, orangutans, dogs, and horses. The new study reveals that this behaviour is just as important in the social interactions of cats.

This might come as a surprise, since cats don’t typically display the wide range of facial expressions seen in dogs or primates. However, appearances can be deceiving. While your cat might seem aloof, previous research has shown that cats can make more than 300 different facial expressions.

Because these expressions are subtle and hard for humans to distinguish, the researchers used artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse the facial movements of cats in a cat café. They found that cats were much more likely to engage with one another after rapid facial mimicry, particularly in response to ear and mouth movements.

This study not only advances our understanding of feline social cognition but also highlights the use of AI to analyse subtle behavioural patterns, such as the facial expressions of cats. The connection between rapid facial mimicry and social cognition in cats could also offer diagnostic tools to identify both long-term social challenges and short-term issues in social situations. Ultimately, it may help us better appreciate the social lives – and social finesse – of our feline companions.