Comparative psychology is the branch of psychology that studies the behavior and mental processes of non-human animals, especially as these relate to species' evolutionary history and adaptive significance, examining similarities and differences in learning, cognition and social behavior across species.
Facts
Central QuestionWhat can studying the behavior and mental processes of non-human animals reveal about the evolutionary origins and mechanisms of behavior, including human behavior? 1 Key DebateWhether early comparative psychology over-attributed humanlike reasoning to animals from anecdotal observation, a methodological failing historians identify in pioneering researcher George Romanes's work. 1 Connections
Associated With
Pioneer of ethology and the comparative study of behavior across species.
Includes
Source Wikipedia: Harry Harlow
Source Wikipedia: Harry Harlow
Additional Source Wikipedia: Konrad LorenzOpening biographical paragraph
Source Robert Yerkes (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Comparative Psychology
Wikimedia FoundationLead section
the scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of non-human animals, especially as these relate to the phylogenetic history
History section
Romanes is most famous for two major flaws in his work: his focus on anecdotal observations and his entrenched anthropomorphism.
Wikipedia: Harry Harlow
Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Harry Harlow, Biography section (Wisconsin General Test Apparatus)
He worked with the primates at Henry Vilas Zoo, where he developed the Wisconsin General Test Apparatus (WGTA) to study learning, cognition, and memory.
Includes: Harlow's Rhesus Monkey Experiments, Lead section
Harry Frederick Harlow (October 31, 1905 - December 6, 1981) was an American psychologist best known for his work on the effect of isolation in monkeys as funded by the Ecology Fund [HEF], the CIA, and Project MK-Ultra as a part of his studies on psychological torture techniques during the Cold War. His findings on maternal-separation, dependency needs, and social isolation experiments on rhesus monkeys manifested the importance of caregiving and companionship to social and cognitive development.
Wikipedia: Konrad Lorenz
Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Konrad Lorenz, Opening biographical paragraphQuote, Includes: Konrad Lorenz, Opening biographical paragraph
He is often regarded as one of the founders of modern ethology, the study of animal behavior.
Robert Yerkes (Wikipedia)
Includes: Robert Yerkes, LeadQuote, Includes: Robert Yerkes, Lead
Robert Mearns Yerkes (; May 26, 1876, February 3, 1956) was an American psychologist, ethologist, eugenicist and primatologist best known for his work in intelligence testing and in the field of comparative psychology.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.