comparative psychology basics

Question 1

what is comparative psychology ?

Answer 1

multidisciplinary enterprise committed to biological, behavioural and psychological aspects of adaptive behaviours

looking at their evolution and their development

Question 2

what are the three levels of analysis for comparative psychology?

Answer 2

behaviour

cognition

physiology

Question 3

why compare species?

Answer 3

• contrasting device

- to make interferences about evolution

Question 4

three methods of making interferences about evolution of species…

Answer 4

• fossil remains
• genetics
• comparisons between extant species

Question 5

how to compare species

Answer 5

same method/task (close related species)

different method/task

functionally equivalent method (exploits species-specific adaptations)

Question 6

when do we compare species?

Answer 6

same age (chronological or mental)

different ages (LONGITUDINAL)

functionally equivalent ages

Question 7

what were tinbergen’s four questions?

Answer 7

mechanism (how does it work)

function (why does it exist?)

phylogeny (how does the species evolve?)

ontogeny (how does the individual develop?)

Question 8

cycle of evolution

Answer 8

variation - selection - change - adaptation

Question 9

what are the three types of selection?

Answer 9

natural (survival)

artificial (domestication)

sexual (reproductive success)