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  • Book
  • © 1981

The Foundations of Ethology

Authors:

  1. Konrad Z. Lorenz

    1. Vienna, Austria

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  • ISBN: 978-3-7091-3671-3
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Table of contents (18 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvii
    PDF

  2. Introductory History

    1. Introductory History

      • Konrad Z. Lorenz
      Pages 1-12

  3. Methodology

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 13-13
      PDF

    2. Thinking in Biological Terms

      • Konrad Z. Lorenz
      Pages 15-35

    4. The Fallacies of Non-System-Oriented Methods

      • Konrad Z. Lorenz
      Pages 66-71

    5. The Comparative Method

      • Konrad Z. Lorenz
      Pages 72-103

  4. Genetically Programmed Behavior

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 105-105
      PDF

    3. Afferent Processes

      • Konrad Z. Lorenz
      Pages 153-175

    4. The Problem of the “Stimulus”

      • Konrad Z. Lorenz
      Pages 176-188

    6. How Unitary Is “An Instinct”?

      • Konrad Z. Lorenz
      Pages 211-220

    7. Mechanisms Exploiting Instant Information

      • Konrad Z. Lorenz
      Pages 221-241

    8. Multiple Motivation in Behavior

      • Konrad Z. Lorenz
      Pages 242-253

  5. Adaptive Modification of Behavior

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 255-255
      PDF

    2. Modification

      • Konrad Z. Lorenz
      Pages 257-262

    3. Learning Without Association

      • Konrad Z. Lorenz
      Pages 263-267

    5. Learning Effected by the Consequences of Behavior

      • Konrad Z. Lorenz
      Pages 289-314
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About this book

This book is a contribution to the history of ethology-not a definitive history, but the personal view of a major figure in that story. It is all the more welcome because such a grand theme as ethology calls for a range of perspectives. One reason is the overarching scope of the subject. Two great questions about life that constitute much of biology are "How does it work (structure and function)?" and "How did it get that way (evolu­ tion and ontogeny)?" Ethology addresses the antecedent of "it. " Of what are we trying to explain the mechanism and development? Surely behav­ ior, in all its wealth of detail, variation, causation, and control, is the main achievement of animal evolution, the essential consequence of animal structure and function, the raison d' etre of all the rest. Ethology thus spans between and overlaps with the ever-widening circles of ecol­ ogy over the eons and the ever-narrowing focus of physiology of the neurons. Another reason why the history of ethology needs perspectives is the recency of its acceptance. For such an obviously major aspect of animal biology, it is curious how short a time-less than three decades-has seen the excitement of an active field and a substantial fraternity of work­ ers, the addition of professors and courses to departments and curricula in biology (still far from universal}, and the normal complement of spe­ cial journals, symposia, and sessions at congresses.
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Keywords

  • Motivation
  • Verhaltensforschung
  • behavior
  • biology
  • information
  • learning
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Authors and Affiliations

  • Vienna, Austria

    Konrad Z. Lorenz

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Bibliographic Information

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Access via your institution
eBook USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-3-7091-3671-3
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions