Originally published in 1989, this title presents a view of adaptive behaviour which integrates both evolutionary and psychological perspectives on learning. The study of learning, and in particular conditioning, had evolved in isolation from the rest of the biological sciences, and until the late 1980s had largely ignored the fact that learning processes are adaptive functions subject to the pressures of evolutionary selection. This text is designed to give a thorough insight into contemporary views of learning mechanisms, at the same time incorporating an evolutionary perspective on the function and performance of learning.
Graham Davey gives a detailed introduction to evolutionary approaches to behaviour and basic learning phenomena such as Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning. He also provides a comparative introduction to both learning and performance aspects of conditioning. He covers ecological approaches to adaptive behaviour (e.g. foraging theory), specialized learning processes such as concept formation, spatial learning, and language learning.
Innovative in its integration of ecological and evolutionary approaches with more traditional associative views of learning, the book introduces the reader to learning in a very wide variety of species other than the traditional laboratory rat and pigeon. It will be valuable to anyone with a general interest in animal behaviour, and also to those with a specific interest in learning, adaptive behaviour, and evolutionary approaches to behaviour.
By:
Graham Davey
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 156mm,
Weight: 748g
ISBN: 9781138554863
ISBN 10: 1138554863
Series: Psychology Library Editions: Comparative Psychology
Pages: 410
Publication Date: 22 February 2018
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Primary
,
Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
List of Illustrations. Preface. 1. Ecology. Evolution, and Learning 2. Comparative Aspects of Conditioning: Pavlovian Learning 3. Comparative Aspects of Conditioning: Instrumental Learning 4. Cognitive Aspects of Conditioning: Associations, Representations, and Memories 5. Performance Models of Pavlovian Conditioning 6. The Biological Function of Pavlovian Conditioning 7. Instrumental Conditioning: Learning Mechanisms, Performance, and Function 8. Behavioural Ecology 9. Phase-Specific Learning: Imprinting and Avian Song Learning 10. Learning and Intelligence. Journal and Periodical Abbreviations. Bibliography. Name Index. Species Index. Subject Index.
