How Animals Think and Feel: An Introduction to Non-Human Psychology

This highly accessible book explains key scientific findings in the areas of animal cognition, emotion, and behavior in easy-to-understand language. Why do dogs get separation anxiety? Can a chimpanzee recognize itself in a mirror? Do animals in a zoo get neurotic? Do animals actually have emotions, or are humans simply anthropomorphizing them? How Animals Think and Feel: An Introduction to Non-Human Psychology answers these interesting questions and many more in its examination of animal psychology—particularly non-human primates (our closest relatives) and companion animals (the animals with which we spend the most time). Readers will learn about the history of the study of animals as well as the methodologies and applications of animal research, examples of higher-level thought and problem solving in animals, learning and memory, emotion, and basic behaviors such as feeding and mating. Chapters examine specific animal species or groups in greater depth to address particular behaviors and discuss characteristic traits. The book also includes sidebars that offer additional high-interest, ready-reference content; a bibliography of print and electronic sources for further study; and a glossary of unfamiliar terms.

Table of Contents:
Preface Chapter 1—Introduction Evolution Scientific Study of Animal Behavior Tinbergen's Four Whys PART I: ANIMAL COGNITION Chapter 2—Sensory and Perceptual Processes Transduction Range of Sensory Worlds Perceptual Organization Perceptual Processes Conclusion Chapter 3—Basic Learning Why Learn? Nonassociative Learning Associative Learning: Classical Conditioning Associative Learning: Operant Conditioning Latent Learning The Misbehavior of Animals: Constraints on Learning Conclusion Chapter 4—Spatial Cognition and Behavior Path Integration Terrestrial Landmarks Geometry Some Neurobiology of Spatial Cognition Cognitive Map Debate: Do Insects Use Cognitive Maps? Global Navigation Conclusion Chapter 5—Timing Circadian Clocks Arranging Behaviors in Circadian Time Interval Timing Multiple Oscillators for Timing Conclusion Chapter 6—Numerical Cognition Analog Magnitude System: Approximate Counts Object-Tracking System: One, Two, Three, Too Many Training Animals to Count Conclusion Chapter 7—Emotions Emotions and Motivation Emotions in Comparative Perspective What about Emotions in Invertebrate Animals? Emotions, Consciousness, and Ethics Conclusion Chapter 8—Animal Communication Signals and Cues Wide Range of Signals Functions of Signals Attention Signals Camouflage Signals Identity Signals Mimicry Aggressive Mimicry Signals of Quality: Sexual Selection at Work Alarm Calls: Warning Signals Debate: How Important Is the Actual Information Conveyed through Animal Communication? Cognitive Processes in Communication Conclusion Chapter 9—Complex Cognition Physical Cognition Episodic-Like Memory Prospective Cognition Metacognition Debate: Do Animals Have Metacognition? Self-Recognition: The Mirror Test Social Learning Theory of Mind Conclusion PART II: CASE STUDIES OF SELECTED ANIMALS Chapter 10—Honeybees Eusocial Lifestyle Honeybee Cognition Colony Collapse: A Multifaceted Syndrome Conclusion Chapter 11—Jumping Spiders Best Arthropod Eyes Myrmarachne: Ant-Mimicking Jumping Spiders Portia: Stalker Playing Mind Games Conclusion Chapter 12—Cephalopods Coleoid Nervous Systems: Embodied Intelligence Learning in Cephalopods Play in Octopuses Skin Coloration: Masters of Disguise Conclusion Chapter 13—Corvids Clark's Nutcrackers New Caledonian Crows Western Scrub Jays Conclusion Chapter 14—Parrots Kea Alex the African Grey Parrot Conclusion Chapter 15—Dolphins Numerical Sense Tool Use Culture Planning and Prospective Cognition Cooperation and Altruism Imitation Artificial "Language" Conclusion Chapter 16—Dogs WEIRD Human and WHOC Dogs Domestication of the Dog: Coevolution of Uncertain Origin Canid Play and Wild Justice Sensitivity to Humans Word Learning in Two Dogs: A Record for Nonprimates Conclusion Chapter 17—Great Apes Primates and Great Apes: Some Basic Biology Manual Skills and Clever Foraging Brain and Intelligence in Primates Nim, Kanzi, and Ape Language Nim Kanzi Conclusion Chapter 18—What about Humans? Brief Summary What about Humans? Debate: What Is Special about Humans? Glossary References and Other Interesting Materials About the Author and Contributors Index

About the Author :
Ken Cheng, PhD, is professor of biological sciences at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.

Review :
Overall, this volume fills an important gap in the field by providing an approachable introduction to these topics for psychology students. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; general readers.