Animal Learning and Cognition: An Introduction

John M. Pearce

ISBN 10: 0863774342 / ISBN 13: 9780863774348

Published by Psychology Press, 1997

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Bibliographic Details

Title: Animal Learning and Cognition: An ...

Publisher: Psychology Press

Publication Date: 1997

Binding: Paperback

Condition: Very Good

Edition: 2nd Edition

About this title

Synopsis:

This is a revision of An Introduction to Animal Cognition. The book reviews the main principles and experimental findings that have emerged from a century of research into animal intelligence. The book opens with an account of the various methods that have been used to study the intelligence of animals. The next four chapters then examine the contribution made by learning processes to intelligent behaviour. Topics covered include Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning, discrimination learning, categorisation, and an introduction to connectionist theories of learning. The second half of the book is concerned with animal cognition. There is a chapter on the representation of time, number and serial order. Additional chapters are devoted to memory, navigation, social learning, and language and communication. Issues raised throughout the book are reviewed in a concluding chapter that examines the way in which intelligence is distributed throughout the animal kingdom.

Review:

"There are very few instances in which one of the world's leading researchers is willing to write a textbook in his area of expertise, and even fewer where the resulting text is beautifully clear and interesting. Pearce's text is of just this quality; any student fortunate enough to read it will be exposed to a lucid, entertaining, and stimulating introduction to what we know about animal learning and cognition." - Dr. David Lieberman, Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, UK

"This new edition of Pearce's text integrates a solid grounding in associative learning theory with an introduction to topics in animal cognition such as memory, spatial behavior, and social cognition. A particularly noteworthy feature is the way in which students are encouraged to think critically but open mindedly about the many intriguing new findings on animal tool using, imitation, theory of mind, and the like. As a basic text that covers the field of animal learning and cognition as it exists in the early 21st century, it has few, if any, competitors." - Professor Sara J. Shettleworth, Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Canada

"The last decade has seen a major revolution in our understanding of animal intelligence, which is elegantly captured in John Pearce's new edition of Animal Cognition: An Introduction. Even better than the last two versions, this textbook provides a clear and comprehensive review of our current knowledge of animal learning and cognition, and in a style that is suitable for all undergraduate levels. I heartily recommend it." - Professor Nicky Clayton, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, UK

"Pearce has expanded and updated an excellent text that combines traditional learning theory with careful and critical coverage of the latest findings in comparative cognition, social learning, and communication. Students and professionals alike will be able to evaluate claims and plan experiments much more effectively after absorbing its wisdom." - Gordon M. Burghardt, University of Tennessee, USA