First published 1998
Animal cognition researchers face a fundamental challenge: how do we prove that animals truly think rather than simply react? The editors tackle this question by assembling research from diverse animal species to demonstrate that many behaviors represent genuine cognitive processes. Their approach draws from field ecology, evolutionary biology, and experimental psychology to build a comprehensive picture of animal intelligence. The book bridges the gap between laboratory experiments and field observations, showing how different research methods can illuminate the same underlying mental abilities. By combining insights across disciplines, the authors reveal unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated behaviors. The work establishes a framework for understanding complex animal behavior through a cognitive lens. Readers gain access to a new field of study that transforms how we interpret animal actions, moving beyond simple stimulus-response models to recognize the sophisticated thinking that drives behavior in the natural world.
Genres: nature, animals, psychology, ecology, evolution, non-fiction, biology, academic
Vibes: informative, scientific, thought-provoking
Tropes: bridging-theory-and-practice, interdisciplinary-approach
465 pages · Hardcover · Academic Press