Tinbergen's Legacy
Tinbergen's Legacy
Simon Verhulst, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands
Nobel laureate Niko Tinbergen laid the foundations for the scientific study of animal behaviour with his work on causation, development, function and evolution. In this book, an international cast of leading animal biologists reflect on the enduring significance of Tinbergen's groundbreaking proposals for modern behavioural biology. It includes a reprint of Tinbergen's original article on the famous 'four whys' and a contemporary introduction, after which each of the four questions are discussed in the light of contemporary evidence. There is also a discussion of the wider significance of recent trends in evolutionary psychology and neuroecology to integrate the 'four whys'. With a foreword by one of Tinbergen's most prominent pupils, Aubrey Manning, this wide-ranging book demonstrates that Tinbergen's views on animal behaviour are crucial for modern behavioural biology. It will appeal to graduate students and researchers in animal behaviour, behavioural ecology and evolutionary biology.
- Foreword written by Aubrey Manning, one of Tinbergen's most prominent pupils
- Contains a reprint of Tinbergen's original article on the famous 'four whys'- causation, development, function and evolution
- Includes contemporary debates concerning integration of Tinbergen's 'four whys', which demonstrate how Tinbergen's views are crucial for modern behavioural ecology
Reviews & endorsements
'… an important evaluation of the direction in which animal behaviour studies have been, and are, moving since the days of Niko Tinbergen … well co-ordinated and edited …' Ethology
'The field [of behavioural biology] has changed considerably in the last forty years and [this] book in its nine chapters provides a useful update on the subject.' Biologist
Product details
No date availableAdobe eBook Reader
9780511460562
0 pages
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4 b/w illus.
Table of Contents
- 1. On aims and methods of ethology N Tinbergen
- 2. Tinbergen's four questions and contemporary behavioural biology Jerry A. Hogan and Johan J. Bolhuis
- 3. Causation: the study of behavioural mechanisms Jerry A. Hogan
- 4. Tinbergen's fourth question. Ontogeny: sexual and individual differentiation David Crews and Ton Groothuis
- 5. The development of behaviour: trends since Tinbergen (1963) Jerry A. Hogan and Johan J. Bolhuis
- 6. The study of function in behavioural ecology Innes Cuthill
- 7. The evolution of behaviour, and integrating it towards a complete and correct understanding of behavioural biology Michael J. Ryan
- 8. Do ideas about function help in the study of causation? David F. Sherry
- 9. Function and mechanism in neuroecology: looking for clues Johan J. Bolhuis.
