Search Engine for
Psychology 26
Exploring the Animal Mind Software
Animal Cognition & Learning
Fall Semester 2005 - Tufts UniversityInstructors: Dr. Robert Cook
Office: 106 Psychology Building
Office Hours: Monday 1:30-2:30
Lectures: Tuesday and Thursday 12:00-1:15
Classroom: Psychology Building - Room 109
This course is concerned with the experimental analysis of cognition and behavior in animals. Most of our discussions will focus on laboratory findings with animals, but viewed from an evolutionary framework concerned with the natural histories of animals. In addition to discussing basic experimental results about cognition and intelligence in animals, an important emphasis will be placed on the logic and evidence used to justify any theoretical conclusions. Along with the standard lecture/discussion format used in this class, we will be using the Exploring the Animal Mind software and the Internet to further explore and illuminate the course materials. The URL for the course is
http://www.pigeon.psy.tufts.edu/psych26/default.htm.Search engine for finding material in the Psychology 26 web pages
In exploring the Internet links provided here you should use the following colored cues to help in guiding your search:
Required - Examine these links and their connections (Exam potential)
Optional - highly suggested and well worth more than a peek
Not required - information on assorted topics related to the course
Required Texts
Principals of Learning and Behavior (6th Edition) Michael Domjan, University of TexasAvian Visual Cognition
Robert G. Cook, Tufts University
Selected Readings as provided or outlined in class.
List of Course Handouts in PDF format
I.) Fundamental Issues and Tactics in Animal Cognition
Major topics for Weeks 1 through 3 include:
Introduction to basic questions and issues in animal cognition
Intelligence and consciousness in animals
The role of evolution and ecology in behavior and cognition
History, logic, and research tactics
Procedures used in the study of animal cognition
The roots of motivation and action
II.) The Stimulus: Perception, Control, & Selection
Major topics for weeks 3 through 7 include:The nature and mechanisms of perception in animals
The mechanisms underlying stimulus control, selection, and discrimination
The orientation of animals in time and space
Link to Wright Matching Chapter
Link to Urcuioli Categorization Chapter
Link to Downloadable Radial Maze Program
Link to runtime files that you might need to install for the above program.
Visual Perception by Dr. Robert Cook (Comparative Psychology: A handbook)
III.) The Role of Experience: Learning & Memory
Major topics for weeks 8 through 12 include:The effects of experience on animal behavior
The mechanisms of learning and memory for relations between events
The basic laws of association
The assessment of value and the function of reinforcement.
Major topics for weeks 13 through 14 include:
Observational and social learning
Foraging Behavior
Intra- and inter-species communication
Tool use by animals
Readings for Final Exam
Domjan: Chapters 8, 12, 3, 4, 5, 6 pp 199-214
Urcuioli Categorization Chapter
FINAL EXAM
December 14th from 12:00 to 2:00 in Psych Building
Grades are based on performance from two exams, term paper, and classroom participation. Grading is based on a a cumulative Z-score system
MIDTERM (30%) - October 20h
FINAL EXAM (40%) - December 14th from 12:00 to 2:00 in Psych Building
TERM PAPER (25%) Due Friday Dec. 16th 5:03 pm in my mailbox in the Psychology Building. Term papers can be submitted by email, if desired (Word and PDF documents only)
CLASS PARTICIPATION ( (5%)
