Psychology Library Editions: Comparative Psychology – serie

Originally published in 1975, this volume deals with animals and human infants. The chapters reflect a mixture of issues and problems ranging from the significance of sucking responses in the newborn, the development of memory, effects of rearing conditions in monkeys, and brain damage in animals, to processes underlying abnormal development of language. While it appears the issues are diverse, there is actually a common theme. One question is posed: How and why does normal development fail to occur in some human infants? The chapters show that there are many causes of aberrations: physical or psychological trauma, disease, inheritance, and drugs. Although one may be primary, "multiple causation" would still appear to be a sound principle in developmental pathology.

Originally published in 1975, this volume deals with animals and human infants. The chapters reflect a mixture of issues and problems ranging from the significance of sucking responses in the newborn, the development of memory, effects of rearing conditions in monkeys, and brain damage in animals, to processes underlying abnormal development of language. While it appears the issues are diverse, there is actually a common theme. One question is posed: How and why does normal development fail to occur in some human infants? The chapters show that there are many causes of aberrations: physical or psychological trauma, disease, inheritance, and drugs. Although one may be primary, "multiple causation" would still appear to be a sound principle in developmental pathology.

Originally published in 1928, this title looks at the link between animal and human conduct. It had long been recognized on the basis of their activities that many animals possess minds, and that these are similar in a considerable number of respects to human minds. According to the author, this book looks at man’s position within nature from the perspective of a naturalist, rather than a psychologist or philosopher. He has attempted to describe the working of mind and body in human beings and in other living things; to examine critically the mental technique involved in such descriptions; and to reason broadly as to the bearings of the facts and processes on human life. Now it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context.

Originally published in 1928, this title looks at the link between animal and human conduct. It had long been recognized on the basis of their activities that many animals possess minds, and that these are similar in a considerable number of respects to human minds. According to the author, this book looks at man’s position within nature from the perspective of a naturalist, rather than a psychologist or philosopher. He has attempted to describe the working of mind and body in human beings and in other living things; to examine critically the mental technique involved in such descriptions; and to reason broadly as to the bearings of the facts and processes on human life. Now it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context.

Originally published in 1948, the author follows the idea that the instincts are "the spring and basis of all animal behaviour (with the exception perhaps of play), and therewith the core of the animal’s mind, and that individual experience, gathered by the animal in the course of its life, may influence and reconstruct these instincts, so as to guide, in the form of intelligence and understanding, this behaviour along new (i.e. innate) paths. Thus, instinct and experience become the pillars upon which animal behaviour is built up; instinct, intelligence, and understanding form a triad round which the facts of the psychology of animals may be grouped. As a foundation of all this the author first tries to prove the good right of a real and genuine animal psychology, not hampered by objectivistic and behaviouristic scruples, while in a final chapter, by way of conclusion, he tries to give an image of how the world of the animal is built up."

Originally published in 1948, the author follows the idea that the instincts are "the spring and basis of all animal behaviour (with the exception perhaps of play), and therewith the core of the animal’s mind, and that individual experience, gathered by the animal in the course of its life, may influence and reconstruct these instincts, so as to guide, in the form of intelligence and understanding, this behaviour along new (i.e. innate) paths. Thus, instinct and experience become the pillars upon which animal behaviour is built up; instinct, intelligence, and understanding form a triad round which the facts of the psychology of animals may be grouped. As a foundation of all this the author first tries to prove the good right of a real and genuine animal psychology, not hampered by objectivistic and behaviouristic scruples, while in a final chapter, by way of conclusion, he tries to give an image of how the world of the animal is built up."

Originally published in 1976, the object of this volume was to present a relatively up-to-date overview of what was known, what was suspected, and what remained to be discovered concerning the general question of the evolution of the vertebrate brain and behaviour, and to present a list of references for those who wanted to delve deeper into one or another aspect of the problem. Accordingly, it contains chapters by palaeontologists, sensory morphologists and physiologists, comparative neurologists and comparative psychologists. The chapters are arranged in a sequence loosely approximating the order in which the various animals, brain structures, or behaviour first appeared. Therefore, the chapters fall naturally into sections, each section directed to a group of vertebrates, beginning with those which have very remote common ancestry and progressing to those with more recent common ancestry with mankind.

Originally published in 1976, the object of this volume was to present a relatively up-to-date overview of what was known, what was suspected, and what remained to be discovered concerning the general question of the evolution of the vertebrate brain and behaviour, and to present a list of references for those who wanted to delve deeper into one or another aspect of the problem. Accordingly, it contains chapters by palaeontologists, sensory morphologists and physiologists, comparative neurologists and comparative psychologists. The chapters are arranged in a sequence loosely approximating the order in which the various animals, brain structures, or behaviour first appeared. Therefore, the chapters fall naturally into sections, each section directed to a group of vertebrates, beginning with those which have very remote common ancestry and progressing to those with more recent common ancestry with mankind.

The field of nonverbal communication is a strategic site for demonstrating the inextricable interrelationship between nature and culture in human behaviour. This book, originally published in 1997, aims to explode the misconception that "biology" is something that automatically precludes or excludes "culture". Instead, it points to the necessary grounding of our social and cultural capabilities in biological givens and elucidates how biological factors are systematically co-opted for cultural purposes. The book presents a complex picture of human communicative ability as simultaneously biologically and socioculturally influenced, with some capacities apparently more biologically hard-wired than others: face recognition, imitation, emotional communication, and the capacity for language. It also suggests that the dividing line between nonverbal and linguistic communication is becoming much less clear-cut.The contributing authors are leading researchers in a variety of fields, writing here for a general audience. The book is divided into sections dealing with, respectively, human universals, evolutionary and developmental aspects of nonverbal behaviour within a sociocultural context, and finally, the multifaceted relationships between nonverbal communication and culture.

The field of nonverbal communication is a strategic site for demonstrating the inextricable interrelationship between nature and culture in human behaviour. This book, originally published in 1997, aims to explode the misconception that "biology" is something that automatically precludes or excludes "culture". Instead, it points to the necessary grounding of our social and cultural capabilities in biological givens and elucidates how biological factors are systematically co-opted for cultural purposes. The book presents a complex picture of human communicative ability as simultaneously biologically and socioculturally influenced, with some capacities apparently more biologically hard-wired than others: face recognition, imitation, emotional communication, and the capacity for language. It also suggests that the dividing line between nonverbal and linguistic communication is becoming much less clear-cut.The contributing authors are leading researchers in a variety of fields, writing here for a general audience. The book is divided into sections dealing with, respectively, human universals, evolutionary and developmental aspects of nonverbal behaviour within a sociocultural context, and finally, the multifaceted relationships between nonverbal communication and culture.

Originally published in 1976, this volume reports research that will help us to understand the causes of psychogenic diseases. It deals both experimentally and theoretically with the question of symptom specificity in psychosomatic research – why some individuals respond to psychological stress with gastric disorders, others with sexual impotence, and still others with high blood pressure. As the author notes in summarizing his conclusions, "The repeated pairing of activation of a given organic system with intense nervous stress directs the pathological influence of the stressor primarily upon the system activated; subsequently the natural stimuli which would ordinarily activate the system in a normal manner sustain the pathological stressor’s effect as a conditioned stimulus for the stressor effect."The translation of this work from the original Russian brings to the attention of Western investigators new and useful models of stress-induced disorders, and sheds new light on the pervasive problem of psychosomatic disease.

Originally published in 1976, this volume reports research that will help us to understand the causes of psychogenic diseases. It deals both experimentally and theoretically with the question of symptom specificity in psychosomatic research – why some individuals respond to psychological stress with gastric disorders, others with sexual impotence, and still others with high blood pressure. As the author notes in summarizing his conclusions, "The repeated pairing of activation of a given organic system with intense nervous stress directs the pathological influence of the stressor primarily upon the system activated; subsequently the natural stimuli which would ordinarily activate the system in a normal manner sustain the pathological stressor’s effect as a conditioned stimulus for the stressor effect."The translation of this work from the original Russian brings to the attention of Western investigators new and useful models of stress-induced disorders, and sheds new light on the pervasive problem of psychosomatic disease.

Originally published in 1989, this title presents a view of adaptive behaviour which integrates both evolutionary and psychological perspectives on learning. The study of learning, and in particular conditioning, had evolved in isolation from the rest of the biological sciences, and until the late 1980s had largely ignored the fact that learning processes are adaptive functions subject to the pressures of evolutionary selection. This text is designed to give a thorough insight into contemporary views of learning mechanisms, at the same time incorporating an evolutionary perspective on the function and performance of learning. Graham Davey gives a detailed introduction to evolutionary approaches to behaviour and basic learning phenomena such as Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning. He also provides a comparative introduction to both learning and performance aspects of conditioning. He covers ecological approaches to adaptive behaviour (e.g. foraging theory), specialized learning processes such as concept formation, spatial learning, and language learning.Innovative in its integration of ecological and evolutionary approaches with more traditional associative views of learning, the book introduces the reader to learning in a very wide variety of species other than the traditional laboratory rat and pigeon. It will be valuable to anyone with a general interest in animal behaviour, and also to those with a specific interest in learning, adaptive behaviour, and evolutionary approaches to behaviour.

Originally published in 1989, this title presents a view of adaptive behaviour which integrates both evolutionary and psychological perspectives on learning. The study of learning, and in particular conditioning, had evolved in isolation from the rest of the biological sciences, and until the late 1980s had largely ignored the fact that learning processes are adaptive functions subject to the pressures of evolutionary selection. This text is designed to give a thorough insight into contemporary views of learning mechanisms, at the same time incorporating an evolutionary perspective on the function and performance of learning. Graham Davey gives a detailed introduction to evolutionary approaches to behaviour and basic learning phenomena such as Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning. He also provides a comparative introduction to both learning and performance aspects of conditioning. He covers ecological approaches to adaptive behaviour (e.g. foraging theory), specialized learning processes such as concept formation, spatial learning, and language learning.Innovative in its integration of ecological and evolutionary approaches with more traditional associative views of learning, the book introduces the reader to learning in a very wide variety of species other than the traditional laboratory rat and pigeon. It will be valuable to anyone with a general interest in animal behaviour, and also to those with a specific interest in learning, adaptive behaviour, and evolutionary approaches to behaviour.

Originally published in 1979, this book provides students with an example of the ways in which an evolutionary perspective can rephrase and clarify traditional questions and issues in psychology. The format provides the student firstly with the minimal amount of basic information in neuroanatomy, genetics and modern evolutionary theory in a form which is readily related to the remainder of the volume. The book then goes on to consider the relationships between different forms of explanation in biology, and the role of brain behaviour students in these relationships. Finally, the reader is given an opportunity to follow the reasoning which stems from a biological approach when applied to topics in human behaviour such as learning, dreaming, sleeping, exploration, anxiety, reasoning, intelligence and consciousness. Modern evolutionary biology places man in a broader context than does traditional psychology, and this new perspective reduces our tendency to view life solely from a human standpoint. The significance as well as the uniqueness of some traditionally ‘human’ attributes are challenged by this approach.

Originally published in 1979, this book provides students with an example of the ways in which an evolutionary perspective can rephrase and clarify traditional questions and issues in psychology. The format provides the student firstly with the minimal amount of basic information in neuroanatomy, genetics and modern evolutionary theory in a form which is readily related to the remainder of the volume. The book then goes on to consider the relationships between different forms of explanation in biology, and the role of brain behaviour students in these relationships. Finally, the reader is given an opportunity to follow the reasoning which stems from a biological approach when applied to topics in human behaviour such as learning, dreaming, sleeping, exploration, anxiety, reasoning, intelligence and consciousness. Modern evolutionary biology places man in a broader context than does traditional psychology, and this new perspective reduces our tendency to view life solely from a human standpoint. The significance as well as the uniqueness of some traditionally ‘human’ attributes are challenged by this approach.

Originally published in 1970, this is a survey of findings on the learning of young animals and human infants. In an attempt to discover some of the characteristic features of early learning, it examines all types of learning from conditioning and the primitive process known as ‘imprinting’, usually associated with ducklings, to the beginnings of understanding and language. The so-called ‘critical’ periods for social learning and personality development are considered at some length, and a close look is taken at research methods used in studying early learning, and at the needs and problems of current research.As a textbook for students of psychology, biology and sociology this book would have been invaluable at the time of publication. It should still also be of interest to research workers in the fields of animal behaviour and developmental psychology, and to practising psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers, as it is an up-to-date summary of all the knowledge concerning early learning at the time.

Originally published in 1970, this is a survey of findings on the learning of young animals and human infants. In an attempt to discover some of the characteristic features of early learning, it examines all types of learning from conditioning and the primitive process known as ‘imprinting’, usually associated with ducklings, to the beginnings of understanding and language. The so-called ‘critical’ periods for social learning and personality development are considered at some length, and a close look is taken at research methods used in studying early learning, and at the needs and problems of current research.As a textbook for students of psychology, biology and sociology this book would have been invaluable at the time of publication. It should still also be of interest to research workers in the fields of animal behaviour and developmental psychology, and to practising psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers, as it is an up-to-date summary of all the knowledge concerning early learning at the time.

Originally published in 1986, in this work Professor Keehn assesses the contributions of experimental psychology and ethology to psychiatric theory and practice at the time. He discusses the status of animals in psychopathology, and describes a number of animal clinical pictures, covering both abnormal movements and convulsions, and spontaneous behavioural disorders. He also includes animal models of such psychiatric illnesses as neurosis, psychosis, drug addiction and disorders of childhood, and examines the nature of mental illness and the status of psychiatric diagnosis.The book includes an evaluation of the ethics of experimental research with animals and a summary of humane experimental procedures. Animal Models for Psychiatry will be of special interest to psychiatrists, clinical and physiological psychologists, behavioural pharmacologists, and to veterinarians.

Originally published in 1986, in this work Professor Keehn assesses the contributions of experimental psychology and ethology to psychiatric theory and practice at the time. He discusses the status of animals in psychopathology, and describes a number of animal clinical pictures, covering both abnormal movements and convulsions, and spontaneous behavioural disorders. He also includes animal models of such psychiatric illnesses as neurosis, psychosis, drug addiction and disorders of childhood, and examines the nature of mental illness and the status of psychiatric diagnosis.The book includes an evaluation of the ethics of experimental research with animals and a summary of humane experimental procedures. Animal Models for Psychiatry will be of special interest to psychiatrists, clinical and physiological psychologists, behavioural pharmacologists, and to veterinarians.

Originally published in 1977, the objective of this book was to examine the mechanisms by which the multiple factors or determinants – homeostatic deficits, hormonal influences, circadian rhythms, experiential and cognitive factors – become translated by the central nervous system into thermoregulatory, feeding, sexual, aggressive, and other behaviours. A conceptual framework has been used that reflects relevant contributions from biology, regulatory physiology, physiological psychology, and other neuroscience disciplines. The final chapter deals with difficulties in brain-behaviour research in relation to experimental strategies and with crucial problems for future investigation.

Originally published in 1977, the objective of this book was to examine the mechanisms by which the multiple factors or determinants – homeostatic deficits, hormonal influences, circadian rhythms, experiential and cognitive factors – become translated by the central nervous system into thermoregulatory, feeding, sexual, aggressive, and other behaviours. A conceptual framework has been used that reflects relevant contributions from biology, regulatory physiology, physiological psychology, and other neuroscience disciplines. The final chapter deals with difficulties in brain-behaviour research in relation to experimental strategies and with crucial problems for future investigation.

Our views on human nature are fundamental to the whole development, indeed the whole future, of human society. Originally published in 1974, Professor Thorpe believed that this was one of the most important and significant topics to which a biologist can address himself, and in this book he attempts a synthetic view of the nature of man and animal based on the five disciplines of physiology, ethology, genetics, psychology and philosophy.In a masterly survey of the natural order he shows the animal world as part of, yet distinct from, the inanimate world. He then treats aspects of the animal world which approach the human world in behaviour and capabilities, examining simple organisms, communications in vertebrates and invertebrates, innate behaviour versus acquired behaviour, and animal perception. In the second part of the book he deals with those aspects of human nature for which there is no analogy and which constitute man’s uniqueness – his consciousness of his past, his awareness of his future and his desire to understand the meaning of his existence.The primary facts which demonstrate the importance of this book arise from the ever-growing power of man over his environment and his apparent inability to foresee and cope with the dangers of uncontrolled population growth on the one hand and the wildly irrational waste and degradation of the natural resources of the world on the other. Professor Thorpe believes that an immense responsibility lies with literate men of good will, particularly scientists, to convince man that he is the spearhead and custodian of a stupendous evolutionary process. Animal Nature and Human Nature integrates scientific fact with sound theological thought in an attempt to fulfil, in a manner previously impossible Pascal’s injunction that: ‘It is dangerous to show man too clearly how much he resembles the beast without at the same time showing him his greatness. It is also dangerous to allow him too clear a vision of his greatness without his baseness. It is even more dangerous to leave him in ignorance of both. But it is very profitable to show him both.’

Our views on human nature are fundamental to the whole development, indeed the whole future, of human society. Originally published in 1974, Professor Thorpe believed that this was one of the most important and significant topics to which a biologist can address himself, and in this book he attempts a synthetic view of the nature of man and animal based on the five disciplines of physiology, ethology, genetics, psychology and philosophy.In a masterly survey of the natural order he shows the animal world as part of, yet distinct from, the inanimate world. He then treats aspects of the animal world which approach the human world in behaviour and capabilities, examining simple organisms, communications in vertebrates and invertebrates, innate behaviour versus acquired behaviour, and animal perception. In the second part of the book he deals with those aspects of human nature for which there is no analogy and which constitute man’s uniqueness – his consciousness of his past, his awareness of his future and his desire to understand the meaning of his existence.The primary facts which demonstrate the importance of this book arise from the ever-growing power of man over his environment and his apparent inability to foresee and cope with the dangers of uncontrolled population growth on the one hand and the wildly irrational waste and degradation of the natural resources of the world on the other. Professor Thorpe believes that an immense responsibility lies with literate men of good will, particularly scientists, to convince man that he is the spearhead and custodian of a stupendous evolutionary process. Animal Nature and Human Nature integrates scientific fact with sound theological thought in an attempt to fulfil, in a manner previously impossible Pascal’s injunction that: ‘It is dangerous to show man too clearly how much he resembles the beast without at the same time showing him his greatness. It is also dangerous to allow him too clear a vision of his greatness without his baseness. It is even more dangerous to leave him in ignorance of both. But it is very profitable to show him both.’

Originally published in 1978, this book is a collection of chapters based on the papers read at a conference in 1976 at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The title starts with an introductory essay in which a metatheoretical and philosophical approach to the problem of cognition in animals is discussed. The succeeding chapters are arranged, topically, from basic associative processes to higher mental operations. Problems derived from models of association are discussed; as well as work on attention, memory, and the processing of stimulus information; other deal with time, spatial, and serial organization of behaviour, and concept formation.

Originally published in 1978, this book is a collection of chapters based on the papers read at a conference in 1976 at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The title starts with an introductory essay in which a metatheoretical and philosophical approach to the problem of cognition in animals is discussed. The succeeding chapters are arranged, topically, from basic associative processes to higher mental operations. Problems derived from models of association are discussed; as well as work on attention, memory, and the processing of stimulus information; other deal with time, spatial, and serial organization of behaviour, and concept formation.

The relationship between brain and mind is one of the most baffling problems in science but potentially one of the most interesting. First published in 1985, this collection of original essays traces the development of mind in animals and human beings from its origins in the evolution of larger brains with a capacity for creating mental models of the environment. Examples are given of the way in which the brain may use this increased capacity to represent both the physical and social worlds, and the authors suggest that this type of mental activity might underly what human beings recognize in themselves as ‘awareness’ or ‘consciousness’. Brain and Mind brings together much of the latest research and provides a useful framework for the study of this increasingly important subject. The contributors are experts in a wide range of disciplines and draw their conclusions from a broad base of clinical and experimental evidence. Students of psychology, zoology, anatomy, medicine and philosophy, as well as anyone who has wondered about their own mind and its relation to the brain, will find this a fascinating and stimulating source.

The relationship between brain and mind is one of the most baffling problems in science but potentially one of the most interesting. First published in 1985, this collection of original essays traces the development of mind in animals and human beings from its origins in the evolution of larger brains with a capacity for creating mental models of the environment. Examples are given of the way in which the brain may use this increased capacity to represent both the physical and social worlds, and the authors suggest that this type of mental activity might underly what human beings recognize in themselves as ‘awareness’ or ‘consciousness’. Brain and Mind brings together much of the latest research and provides a useful framework for the study of this increasingly important subject. The contributors are experts in a wide range of disciplines and draw their conclusions from a broad base of clinical and experimental evidence. Students of psychology, zoology, anatomy, medicine and philosophy, as well as anyone who has wondered about their own mind and its relation to the brain, will find this a fascinating and stimulating source.

Prior to publication the study of animal coloration was plagued by fanciful speculations, post hoc explanations and untestable hypotheses. This title, originally published in 1979, draws together widely scattered research into the coloration of animals; formulates predictive hypotheses to account for color; documents the accuracy of many of these hypotheses; and suggests directions for future research. The book grew out of a symposium, The Behavioral Significance of Color at the 1977 meeting of the Animal Behavior Society, and presents evidence concerning patterns of coloration and their influence on animal behaviour and interactionPhysical principles of radiation are discussed in Chapter 1, followed, in subsequent chapters, by an examination of the physiological functions of animal coloration (e.g. thermoregulation, hydroregulation, abrasion-resistance, extraretinal photoreception). Treatment of coloration that affects the animal’s visibility to other animals opens with a masterful overview of theories of color vision and its occurrence throughout the animal kingdom. Chapter 6 explores the role of color vision and fruit color in the selection of food by wild primates with comments on the coevolution of fruiting trees and their primate customers. Dr Jack P. Hailman addresses the elusive concept of conspicuousness. He summarizes a strategy for calculating conspicuous coloration based on measurements in natural habitats. Experiments, naturalistic observations and anecdotes of optical communication are exceedingly numerous. Chapters 8 and 9 review these data and suggest general principles of inter- and intraspecific optical communication. Each chapter is enhanced by the critical evaluations of Drs. C. Richard Tracy and W. J. Hamilton III. In closing, the editor discusses coloration as it affects an animal’s own vision (e.g., black eyelines to reduce glare). Most significantly the book emphasizes the need for a balanced, scientifically rigorous approach to the question of evolution of animal coloration. It is an important source for anyone contemplating or currently involved in research in this field of investigation.