Comparative psychology

Question 1

What is comparative psychology?

Answer 1

The study of biologicalm psychological and social aspects of adaptive behaviours from the standpoint of their evolution and development

Question 2

What are the 3 levels of analysis?

Answer 2

1. Behaviour - ethology, behavioral ecology, animal behaviour
2. Cognition - animal learning, cognitive ethology, animal cognition
3. Physiology - physiological psychology, psychobiology, behavioural neuroscience

Question 3

What can ‘comparative’ refer to?

Answer 3

• nonhuman animals, cognitive psychology with no direct comparison
• ‘human-like’ where species compared to humans
• Can be comparisons among species with a strong evolutionary sense

Question 4

Why is comparative psychology useful?

Answer 4

• Allows us to see similarities and differences and investigate why those exist
• Can go on to make inferences about the evolution of behaviour and cognition

Question 5

What are the 3 main pieces of evidence we can use to make evolutionary inferences?

Answer 5

1. Fossils: cranial capacity and tools
2. Genetics: rate of mutation in s species, common ancestors and shared genes
3. Comparison between extended species: estimate how closely species are related and make inferences on the evolution of certain traits

Question 6

What are the pros and cons of using the same method to investigate difference between species?

Answer 6

• Good for closely related species

- However adaptations cause difficulties

Question 7

What are the pros and cons of using a different method to investigate difference between species?

Answer 7

• Better applicability

- Low comparability

Question 8

What are the pros and cons of using functional equivalent methods to investigate difference between species?

Answer 8

• Exploits species specific adaptations

- Hard to design

Question 9

How can age affect comparisons made between species?

Answer 9

Same age: can cause confounding variables
Different ages: able to look at changes in an individual over time (cross sectional vs longitudional)
Functionally equivalent: Rules of thumb can be misleading

Question 10

What are Tinbergen’s 4 questions?

Answer 10

1. Mechanism - How does something work? (proximate causation)
2. Function - Why does it exist? (ultimate causation)
3. Phylogeny - How does the species evolve
4. Ontogeny - How does an individual develop?

Question 11

What were Descartes views on animal cognition?

Answer 11

• Animals and humans are separate

- Animals are simply ‘automata’

Question 12

What were Darwin’s views on animal cognition?

Answer 12

• Continuous view
• Intervals in mental power, however noted similarities of humans and apes
  (Supported by Romanes)

Question 13

How did Thorndike’s view of animal cognition differ from Kohlers?

Answer 13

Thorndike - animal learning is trial and error

Kohler - more to problem solving

Question 14

What is the outline of the theory of natural selection outlined by Darwin and Wallace?

Answer 14

• Variation in traits
• Selection due to limited resources
• Adaptation to suit the environment
• Differential survival and reproduction
• Leads t evolutionary change

Question 15

What aspects of animal behaviour is under genetic and endocrinological control?

Answer 15

• Function: organisms have to survive and reproduce (genetic)
• Mechanisms: organisms seek pleasure and avoid pain (endocrinological control)