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Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior pp 1–6Cite as

Approach/Withdrawal Theory

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T(heodore). C. Schneirla (July 23, 1902–August 20, 1968) was among the preeminent comparative psychologists of the twentieth century. An ardent antireductionist, he framed the study of animal behavior and comparative psychology as a holistic, integrative research program (Tobach and Aronson 1970) using both analysis and synthesis (Maier and Schneirla 1935, enlarged in 1964). This program influenced some of the most important comparative psychologists of the twentieth century (e.g., see Aronson et al. 1970). Although those influenced by Schneirla is today a relatively small group (one of the last remaining scientists trained by Schneirla, Ethel Tobach, passed away in 2015 (Greenberg 2015; see also Greenberg, Ethel Tobach, this volume)). Schneirla’s ideas continue to influence the thinking of a great many contemporary scientists. Many adhere to his proposal that both psychology and biology are in essence developmental sciences. I also adhere to Schneirla’s approach to the study of...

Keywords

  • Stimulus Intensity
  • Comparative Psychology
  • Loggerhead Turtle
  • Biphasic Process
  • Comparative Psychologist

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, USA

    Gary Greenberg

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  1. Gary Greenberg
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Correspondence to Gary Greenberg .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Oakland University , Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Jennifer Vonk

  2. Department of Psychology, Oakland University Department of Psychology, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Todd Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. Southern Oregon University, Ashland, USA

    Mark Krause

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Greenberg, G. (2017). Approach/Withdrawal Theory. In: Vonk, J., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_1074-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_1074-1

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