An ecological approach to behavioral development: Insights from comparative psychology

Journal/Book: Ecol Psychol. 2000; 12: 10 Industrial Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430-2262, USA. Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc Inc. 319-334.

Abstract: In this article, I review recent work from comparative psychology, highlighting several conceptual and methodological insights drawn from comparative research and exploring their value to an ecological approach to behavioral development. In particular, I consider examples of a major focus of comparative psychology, the search for developmental mechanisms and processes underlying the expression of species-typical behavior. This focus has provided several insights regarding behavioral development that have supported an ecological approach and provided a richness and depth of perspective on behavior complementary to that found in ecological psychology. Specifically, I review the related notions of probabilism, equifinality, nonlinearity, and distributed control and discuss their applicability to and support of ecological theory.

Note: Article Lickliter R, Virginia Polytech Inst & State Univ, Dept Psychol, Blacksburg,VA 24061 USA

Keyword(s): BOBWHITE QUAIL CHICKS; DUCKLINGS ANAS-PLATYRHYNCHOS; ALARM CALL RESPONSIVITY; COLINUS-VIRGINIANUS; VISUAL RESPONSIVENESS; SOCIAL EXPERIENCE; PERCEPTUAL RESPONSIVENESS; MALLARD DUCKLINGS; ORGANIZATION; ENVIRONMENT

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