First published in 1984. In this collection of essays, Schneirla is identified as a scientist and citizen unafraid to hold and present unpopular ideas. Schneirla had always been opposed to the hereditarian views that allowed for the politicalization of psychology and spoke out early against the idea of the genetic basis of behavior. It is fitting that his ideas, which still form the nexus of the major theoretical criticism of classical ethology, now can be seen to stand in opposition to the hereditarian views of socio-biology.

Are bird songs learned or genetically programmed? How do animals attract the opposite sex? How does play affect development? How do wolves signal surrender? Which animals have been observed using tools? Do squirrels ever forget food caches? How do bees differentiate between hives? Can some animals count? Examines the state of the art-and its evolution Exploring the full range of animal behavior studies, this authoritative Handbook covers the current state of the art as well as important historical developments in the field since its beginnings over a century ago. It features original essays by comparative psychologists and other animal behavior researchers in experimental psychology who examine and report on the latest research and discoveries in the areas of evolution, development, and species-typical behavior. Discusses all other major approaches to animal behavior The Handbook is the only major reference work to offer a unique psychological perspective of the field. It is also the only one to provide numerous examples of other major approaches to animal behavior, and to discuss and compare them. Arranged in eight major sections for quick and efficient information retrieval, the Handbook: Covers the history and philosophical foundations of comparative psychology, spotlights key figures, and provides international perspectives. Surveys all the important concepts, issues, and theoretical developments in the field. Addresses the latest methodology, focusing on apparatus, research design, statistical techniques, and zoo research. Deals with physiological correlates of behavior, hormones, pheromones, sensation and perception, and sleep. Provides intensive examinations of the behavior of a wide variety of species and groups of animals, from cephalopods and insects to wolves and primates. Covers the key psychological processes of learning and development of behavior, a major emphasis of the field that distinguishes it from other approaches. Treats the full range of functional behaviors by which individuals and species ensure survival and reproductive success. Analyzes cognitive processes, describing complex patterns of behavior in terms of information processing and use. Ideal as a source book for students in comparative psychology, ethology, sociobiology, anthropology, and evolutionary psychology, the Handbook is also a handy reference for scientists working in these fields and for the lay person who wants to understand animal behavior.

First published in 1987. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Scientific philosophers examine the nature and significance of levels of organization, a core structural principle in the biological sciences. This volume examines the idea of levels of organization as a distinct object of investigation, considering its merits as a core organizational principle for the scientific image of the natural world. It approaches levels of organization--roughly, the idea that the natural world is segregated into part-whole relationships of increasing spatiotemporal scale and complexity--in terms of its roles in scientific reasoning as a dynamic, open-ended idea capable of performing multiple overlapping functions in distinct empirical settings. The contributors--scientific philosophers with longstanding ties to the biological sciences--discuss topics including the philosophical and scientific contexts for an inquiry into levels; whether the concept can actually deliver on its organizational promises; the role of levels in the development and evolution of complex systems; conditional independence and downward causation; and the extension of the concept into the sociocultural realm. Taken together, the contributions embrace the diverse usages of the term as aspects of the big picture of levels of organization. Contributors Jan Baedke, Robert W. Batterman, Daniel S. Brooks, James DiFrisco, Markus I. Eronen, Carl Gillett, Sara Green, James Griesemer, Alan C. Love, Angela Potochnik, Thomas Reydon, Ilya Tëmkin, Jon Umerez, William C. Wimsatt, James Woodward

The first—and only—source to integrate the multiple disciplines and professions exploring the many ways people interact with the natural and designed environments in which we live. Comprising more than 250 informative entries, The Encyclopedia of Human Ecology examines the interdisciplinary and complex topic of human ecology. Knowledge gathered from disciplines that study individuals and groups is blended with information about the environment from the fields of family science, geography, anthropology, urban planning, and environmental science. At the same time, professions intended to enhance individual and family life—marriage and family therapy, clinical psychology, social work, dietetic and other health professions—are represented alongside those concerned with the preservation, conservation, and management of the environment and its resources. How rampant are eating disorders among our youth? Are AIDS educational programs effective? What problems do adolescents transitioning into adulthood encounter? Here, four leading scholars in the field have assembled a team of top-tier psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, and other experts to explore these and hundreds of other timely issues.

Presents applications of activity theory; in honour of Sylvia Scribner.

Examines the way people interact with both natural and man-made environments from many aspects of study, including biology, psychology, sociology, and environmental science.