Psychologist Researches Why We Care About Certain Species

Gabriella Hancock, an assistant professor of psychology at Cal State Long Beach, spoke with the Boston Herald about her recent research on white sharks and sting rays.  In a first-of-its-kind study, Professor Hancock found the more humans perceive white sharks as thinking and feeling animals, the more likely they are to protect and conserve them. This study has broad implications for other less charismatic species in gaining public support for their conservation.