Comparative Psychology

Mauricio R. Papini is Professor of Psychology at Texas Christian University, USA. His work has centered on brain-behavior relationships in the area of incentive learning, but broader interests in the evolution and development of behavior led to the creation of this book.

1. Biological Evolution

1.1 Evidence for Evolution

1.2 Logic of Natural Selection

1.3 Origin and Preservation of Genetic Variability

1.4 Natural Selection

1.5 Glossary

1.6 References

2. Origin and Evolution of Animals

2.1 Diversity of Life

2.2 Geological Background

2.3 Origin and Evolution of Animals

2.4 Speciation

2.5 Grades and Clades

2.6 Glossary

2.7 References

3. Evo-devo, Brain, and Behavior

3.1 Definitions

3.2 Early Development

3.3 Development of the Vertebrate Nervous System

3.4 Development and evolution

3.5 Terminology

3.6 Behavior

3.7 Glossary

3.8 References

4. Simple Nervous Systems and Behavior

4.1 Invertebrate Phyla

4.2 Behavior and Simple Neural Networks

4.3 Behavioral and Neural Plasticity in Nonassociative Learning

4.4 Evolution of Learning Mechanisms in Mollusks

4.5 Glossary

4.6 References

5. Evolution of the Vertebrate Brain and Behavior

5.1 Key Innovations of Vertebrates

5.2 Comparative Neurology

5.3 Telencephalon

5.4 Brain Size

5.5 Glossary

5.6 References

Chapter 6: Fundamentals of Learning and Cognition

6.1 Definitions

6.2 Forms of Conditioning

6.3 Classical Conditioning

6.4 Instrumental Conditioning

6.5 Situational Generality of Associative Learning

6.6 Brain Mechanisms of Learning and Cognition: An Overview

6.7 Glossary

6.8 References

7. Comparative Analysis of Learning and Cognition

7.1 Comparative Methodology

7.2 Learning and Cognition in Invertebrates

7.3 Learning and Cognition as Adaptations

7.4 Learning, Cognition, and Phylogenetic History

7.5 Glossary

7.6 References

8. Higher Cognitive Processes

8.1 From Associative Learning to Cognition

8.2 From Concepts to Social Cognition

8.3 Mental Continuity and Discontinuity

8.4 Glossary

8.5 References

9. Early Learning and Behavior

9.1 Ontogenetic Transitions

9.2 Prenatal and Prehatching Behavior

9.3 Infant Behavior

9.4 Infant Learning

9.5 Development of Complex Behavior

9.6 Glossary

9.7 References

10. Early Social Learning and Behavior

10.1 From Individual to Social Behavior

10.2 Imprinting

10.3 Reproductive and Social Behavior

10.4 Development of Vocal Behavior

10.5 Glossary

10.6 References

11. Reproductive and Social Behavior

11.1 Reproductive Biology and Social Behavior

11.2 Mechanisms Underlying Social Behavior

11.3 Mating Systems

11.4 Patterns of Reproductive Behavior

11.5 Infant Care

11.6 Complex Animal Societies

11.7 Glossary

11.8 References

12. Brain, Behavior, and Evolution of Primates

12.1 What is a Primate?

12.2 The Primate Brain

12.3 Evolution of Language

12.4 Origin of Primates

12.5 Hominids

12.6 From Archaic to Modern Humans

12.7 Conclusion: From Oldowan Tools to Climate Change

12.8 Glossary

12.9 References