Modified: 2023-08-09 (12:03PM CDST)
We are all animals and we behave. Explaining our behavior is an essential part of the scientific undertaking. In this preview we will look at some of the background required to become unbiased observers of animals behaving and at the how data derived from such observations is handled. This long page will provide you the background necessary to understand comparative psychology. After this introduction, we will turn to physiological psychology before returning to comparative psychology at the end of the semester.
Essential Background
We, the people, are decidedly outnumbered. The score? Humans 7 billion to animals 20 quintillion, or thereabouts. Many animals we keep as pets, many we eat, many we try to avoid, but our relationship with animals has evolved considerably over the millennia — and is changing rapidly today. From fast-shifting American public opinion on animal personhood to the changing migration patterns of endangered leopards, animals are on the move.
* items we will study in this course
Key Points (adapted from text)