Social interaction: Do non-humans count?

Abstract

A growing body of research suggests that non-humans play a central role in many social interactions - not simply as objects used by humans as interaction props, but as fully participating agents of action. In this essay, I examine these innovative ideas, reviewing survey data that documents this trend and theoretical and empirical work that seeks to better understand it. © 2011 The Author. Sociology Compass © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.