
Evolution, Function, Development and Causation
Tinbergen's Four Questions and Contemporary Behavioural Biology
Brill (Publisher)
Published on 31. December 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-90-04-14243-5 (ISBN)
Description
Ethologist and Nobel laureate Niko Tinbergen laid the foundations for the scientific study of animal behaviour when he formulated its four main problems: evolution, function, development and causation. Celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the publication of Tinbergen's classic article 'On aims and methods of ethology', in this book an international cast of leading behavioural biologists reflect on the enduring significance of his groundbreaking proposals. Following a reprint of Tinbergen's seminal paper on the famous 'four why's', a contemporary perspective is presented on each of the four problems. In addition, two essays discuss the wider significance of recent trends in evolutionary psychology and neuroecology to integrate the four why's. This wide ranging book, with a foreword by Aubrey Manning, will appeal to students and researchers in behavioural biology, experimental psychology and cognitive neuroscience.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Leiden
Netherlands
Target group
College/higher education
ISBN-13
978-90-04-14243-5 (9789004142435)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Johan J. Bolhuis is Professor of Behavioural Biology at Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
Simon Verhulst is Assistant Professor of Behavioural Biology at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Simon Verhulst is Assistant Professor of Behavioural Biology at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Content
Contributors
Foreword by Aubrey Manning
Preface
1. On aims and methods of ethology, N. Tinbergen
2. Causation: the study of behavioral mechanisms, Jerry A. Hogan
3. Tinbergen's fourth question, ontogeny: sexual and individual differentiation, David Crews and Ton Groothuis
4. The development of behavior: trends since Tinbergen (1963), Jerry A. Hogan and Johan J. Bolhuis
5. The study of function in behavioural ecology, Innes Cuthill
6. The evolution of behavior, and integrating it towards a complete and correct understanding of behavioral biology, Michael J. Ryan
7. Do ideas about function help in the study of causation?, David F. Sherry
8. Function and mechanism in neuroecology: looking for clues, Johan J. Bolhuis
Index
Foreword by Aubrey Manning
Preface
1. On aims and methods of ethology, N. Tinbergen
2. Causation: the study of behavioral mechanisms, Jerry A. Hogan
3. Tinbergen's fourth question, ontogeny: sexual and individual differentiation, David Crews and Ton Groothuis
4. The development of behavior: trends since Tinbergen (1963), Jerry A. Hogan and Johan J. Bolhuis
5. The study of function in behavioural ecology, Innes Cuthill
6. The evolution of behavior, and integrating it towards a complete and correct understanding of behavioral biology, Michael J. Ryan
7. Do ideas about function help in the study of causation?, David F. Sherry
8. Function and mechanism in neuroecology: looking for clues, Johan J. Bolhuis
Index