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Psychology 26
Exploring the Animal Mind Software
Animal Cognition & Learning
Fall Semester 2008 - 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 109This course examines 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 and the mechanisms of behavior. 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.In exploring the provided links, use these color cues to guide your search:
Required - Examine these links and their connections (i.e., exam worthy)
Optional - highly suggested and worth more than a peek
Not required - information on assorted topics related to the course
Required Texts
Animal Learning and Cognition (3rd Edition)
John Pearce - Cardiff UniversityAvian Visual Cognition
Robert CookAnimal Spatial Cognition
Michael Brown & Robert CookSelected Readings as provided or outlined in class.
List of Course Handouts in PDF format
Links to other Animal Cognition Information
I.) Fundamental Issues in Animal Cognition
Major topics for Weeks 1 through 3: Introduction to basic questions and issues in animal cognition, history, logic, and research tactics, intelligence and consciousness in animals, the role of evolution and ecology in behavior and cognition, procedures used in the study of animal cognition, the roots of motivation and action
Links to historical information related to animal cognition
Pearce - Chapters 1, 14
Hollard & Delius - Mental Rotation in Pigeons
Comparative Analyses of Learning
Speculations on Language and Intelligence - by Dr. D. Dennett
II.) 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, discrimination and categorization, the mechanisms involved with how animals orient space and time
Pearce - Chapters 7,6,11 and 10
Visual Perception by Dr. Robert Cook (From Comparative Psychology: A handbook)
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
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 the relations between different events, the basic laws and mechanisms of association formation, the assessment of value and the function of reinforcement.
Pearce - Chapters 2, 3, 4, & 5
Additional readings to be announced
IV.) Advanced Cognition & Complex Behaviors
Major topics for weeks 13 through 14 include: Observational and social learning, metacognition, theory of mind, foraging, intra- and inter-species communication, tool use by animals
Pearce - Chapters 12 &13
Additional readings to be announced
Grades are based on performance from two exams, term paper, and classroom participation. Grading is based on a cumulative Z-score based scoring system explained in class
MIDTERM (30%) - October 16th
FINAL EXAM (40%) - December 11th 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 (Word and PDF documents only)
CLASS PARTICIPATION (5%)
