Lesley J. Rogers - Böcker

This book explores afresh the long-standing interest, and emphasis on, the 'special' capacities of primates. Some of the recent discoveries of the higher cognitive abilities of other mammals and also birds challenge the concept that primates are special and even the view that the cognitive ability of apes is more advanced than that of nonprimate mammals and birds. It is therefore timely to ask whether primates are, in fact, special and to do so from a broad range of perspectives. Divided into five sections this book deals with topics about higher cognition and how it is manifested in different species, and also considers aspects of brain structure that might be associated with complex behavior. It will become apparent to the reader that researchers are only at the beginning of the search to find out whether primates are special and, of course, by 'special' is meant not just different, which applies to all biological categories, but 'better' in the ephemeral sense of being more like us and being cognitively superior to all other species.This volume, voicing the opinions of some leading primatologists, ethologists, psychobiologists, neuroscientists and anthropologists, is not speaking from the standpoint of a political engagement with primates but of a scientific engagement with primates in relation to all other species.

Do Animals have ideas? Do they experience pain like humans? Do they think about objects that they cannot see? About situations that have occurred in the past? Do they consciously make plans for the future or do they simply react unthinkingly to objects as they appear and situations as they arise? All of these questions have bearing on whether or not animals have consciousness. The advent of computers that ?think? has lead us to consider ?intelligence? in a way we never thought possible a decade ago. But when and how does information processing in the brain become automatic?In Minds of Their Own, Lesley J. Rogers examines the issue of animal thought both sympathetically and critically by looking at the different behavior characteristics of a variety of animals, the evolution of the brain and when consciousness might have evolved. To most people, to be conscious means to be aware of oneself as well as to be aware of others. But does this hold true for animals? The answer may have implications which transcend mere scientific inquiry: if animals are cognizant creatures, what, if any, moral responsibility do humans have to assure their rights? This timely book examines this issue and others by emphasizing comparisons between humans and animals: how we evolved; how we remember; how we learn.

Asymmetry of the brain and behaviour (lateralization) has traditionally been considered unique to humans. However, research has shown that this phenomenon is widespread throughout the vertebrate kingdom and found even in some invertebrate species. A similar basic plan of organisation exists across vertebrates. Summarising the evidence and highlighting research from the last twenty years, the authors discuss lateralization from four perspectives - function, evolution, development and causation - covering a wide range of animals, including humans. The evolution of lateralization is traced from our earliest ancestors, through fish and reptiles to birds and mammals. The benefits of having a divided brain are discussed, as well as the influence of experience on its development. A final chapter discusses outstanding problems and areas for further investigation. Experts in this field, the authors present the latest scientific knowledge clearly and engagingly, making this a valuable tool for anyone interested in the biology and behaviour of brain asymmetries.

No longer viewed as a characteristic unique to humans, brain lateralization is considered a key property of most, if not all, vertebrates. This field of study provides a firm basis from which to examine a number of important issues in the study of brain and behaviour. This book takes a comparative and integrative approach to lateralization in a wide range of vertebrate species, including humans. It highlights model systems that have proved invaluable in elucidating the function, causes, development, and evolution of lateralization. The book is arranged in four parts, beginning with the evolution of lateralization, moving to its development, to its cognitive dimensions, and finally to its role in memory. Experts in lateralization in lower vertebrates, birds, non-primate mammals, and primates have contributed chapters in which they discuss their own research and consider its implications to humans. The book is suitable for researchers, graduates and advanced undergraduates in psychology, neuroscience and the behavioral sciences.

No longer viewed as a characteristic unique to humans, brain lateralization is considered a key property of most, if not all, vertebrates. This field of study provides a firm basis from which to examine a number of important issues in the study of brain and behaviour. This book takes a comparative and integrative approach to lateralization in a wide range of vertebrate species, including humans. It highlights model systems that have proved invaluable in elucidating the function, causes, development, and evolution of lateralization. The book is arranged in four parts, beginning with the evolution of lateralization, moving to its development, to its cognitive dimensions, and finally to its role in memory. Experts in lateralization in lower vertebrates, birds, non-primate mammals, and primates have contributed chapters in which they discuss their own research and consider its implications to humans. The book is suitable for researchers, graduates and advanced undergraduates in psychology, neuroscience and the behavioral sciences.

Do Animals have ideas? Do they experience pain like humans? Do they think about objects that they cannot see? About situations that have occurred in the past? Do they consciously make plans for the future or do they simply react unthinkingly to objects as they appear and situations as they arise? All of these questions have bearing on whether or not animals have consciousness. The advent of computers that ?think? has lead us to consider ?intelligence? in a way we never thought possible a decade ago. But when and how does information processing in the brain become automatic?In Minds of Their Own, Lesley J. Rogers examines the issue of animal thought both sympathetically and critically by looking at the different behavior characteristics of a variety of animals, the evolution of the brain and when consciousness might have evolved. To most people, to be conscious means to be aware of oneself as well as to be aware of others. But does this hold true for animals? The answer may have implications which transcend mere scientific inquiry: if animals are cognizant creatures, what, if any, moral responsibility do humans have to assure their rights? This timely book examines this issue and others by emphasizing comparisons between humans and animals: how we evolved; how we remember; how we learn.

The Twofold Brain: Exploring Fundamental Questions about Brain Lateralization challenges the traditional view that brain asymmetry is exclusive to human brains, showing that it is instead widespread in all animals.This unique book deals with new and original ideas about asymmetry of the brain and its function. It first demonstrates how asymmetry emerged early as a biological strategy long before language or culture evolved and was conserved because it worked. It also discusses how from an evolutionary perspective, bilateral bodies create a fundamental problem of duplication – two sides mean redundant sensors, muscles, and neural circuits – but by biasing certain functions toward one side, organisms reduce conflict, speed up processing, and stabilize behaviour. The book then explores the role of interaction among asymmetric organisms in generating individual- or population-level asymmetries as evolutionarily stable strategies, showing that asymmetry thus appears to be a foundational aspect of all nervous systems. The authors' comprehensive approach to brain lateralization allows readers to understand it as an integral aspect of both large and small brains. Each chapter is crafted to answer specific questions, making the book accessible and engaging for both experts and general readers alike. This book will appeal not only to specialists in neurosciences but also to a broader audience with a keen interest in understanding the intricacies of mental processes. Whether you're delving into the nuances of cognitive neuroscience or simply intrigued by the mysteries of the mind, this book offers a captivating journey into the fascinating world of lateralization in human and non-human species.

The Twofold Brain: Exploring Fundamental Questions about Brain Lateralization challenges the traditional view that brain asymmetry is exclusive to human brains, showing that it is instead widespread in all animals.This unique book deals with new and original ideas about asymmetry of the brain and its function. It first demonstrates how asymmetry emerged early as a biological strategy long before language or culture evolved and was conserved because it worked. It also discusses how from an evolutionary perspective, bilateral bodies create a fundamental problem of duplication – two sides mean redundant sensors, muscles, and neural circuits – but by biasing certain functions toward one side, organisms reduce conflict, speed up processing, and stabilize behaviour. The book then explores the role of interaction among asymmetric organisms in generating individual- or population-level asymmetries as evolutionarily stable strategies, showing that asymmetry thus appears to be a foundational aspect of all nervous systems. The authors' comprehensive approach to brain lateralization allows readers to understand it as an integral aspect of both large and small brains. Each chapter is crafted to answer specific questions, making the book accessible and engaging for both experts and general readers alike. This book will appeal not only to specialists in neurosciences but also to a broader audience with a keen interest in understanding the intricacies of mental processes. Whether you're delving into the nuances of cognitive neuroscience or simply intrigued by the mysteries of the mind, this book offers a captivating journey into the fascinating world of lateralization in human and non-human species.

This second edition volume expands on the previous edition with updates on the latest techniques used to study brain and behavioral laterality in both human and non-human animals. The chapters in this book cover numerous topics such as methods of measuring lateralization in a range of species by scoring behavior elicited by inputs to one of both brain hemispheres; behavioral methods to study motor preferences and lateralization in invertebrates; neurological methods to reveal lateralization; imaging and electrocephalographic techniques and transcranial stimulation; and new genetic approaches to studying lateralization in humans and zebrafish, and the roles of genes in the establishment and development of brain asymmetry. In the Neuromethods series style, chapters include the kind of detail and key advice from the specialists needed to get successful results in your laboratory.Cutting-edge and authoritative, Lateralized Brain Function: Methods in Human and Non-Human Species, Second Edition is a valuable resource for further research on brain and behavioral asymmetries in human and non-human species. This book will provide both expert and novel researchers with answers to their questions, while also encouraging vital collaborations.

This second edition volume expands on the previous edition with updates on the latest techniques used to study brain and behavioral laterality in both human and non-human animals. The chapters in this book cover numerous topics such as methods of measuring lateralization in a range of species by scoring behavior elicited by inputs to one of both brain hemispheres; behavioral methods to study motor preferences and lateralization in invertebrates; neurological methods to reveal lateralization; imaging and electrocephalographic techniques and transcranial stimulation; and new genetic approaches to studying lateralization in humans and zebrafish, and the roles of genes in the establishment and development of brain asymmetry. In the Neuromethods series style, chapters include the kind of detail and key advice from the specialists needed to get successful results in your laboratory.Cutting-edge and authoritative, Lateralized Brain Function: Methods in Human and Non-Human Species, Second Edition is a valuable resource for further research on brain and behavioral asymmetries in human and non-human species. This book will provide both expert and novel researchers with answers to their questions, while also encouraging vital collaborations.

Asymmetry of the brain and behaviour (lateralization) has traditionally been considered unique to humans. However, research has shown that this phenomenon is widespread throughout the vertebrate kingdom and found even in some invertebrate species. A similar basic plan of organisation exists across vertebrates. Summarising the evidence and highlighting research from the last twenty years, the authors discuss lateralization from four perspectives - function, evolution, development and causation - covering a wide range of animals, including humans. The evolution of lateralization is traced from our earliest ancestors, through fish and reptiles to birds and mammals. The benefits of having a divided brain are discussed, as well as the influence of experience on its development. A final chapter discusses outstanding problems and areas for further investigation. Experts in this field, the authors present the latest scientific knowledge clearly and engagingly, making this a valuable tool for anyone interested in the biology and behaviour of brain asymmetries.

This book explores afresh the long-standing interest, and emphasis on, the `special' capacities of primates. Some of the recent discoveries of the higher cognitive abilities of other mammals and also birds challenge the concept that primates are special and even the view that the cognitive ability of apes is more advanced than that of nonprimate mammals and birds. It is therefore timely to ask whether primates are, in fact, special and to do so from a broad range of perspectives. Divided into five sections this book deals with topics about higher cognition and how it is manifested in different species, and also considers aspects of brain structure that might be associated with complex behavior.

This volume explores both simple and sophisticated techniques used in the study of different types of lateralization of brain and behavior. Part II covers neurobiological methods used to reveal lateralization, such as lesion studies, electrophysiology and pharmacology, early gene expression, and new optogenetic methods.

This volume explores both simple and sophisticated techniques used in the study of different types of lateralization of brain and behavior. Part II covers neurobiological methods used to reveal lateralization, such as lesion studies, electrophysiology and pharmacology, early gene expression, and new optogenetic methods.