Comparative psychology

Comparative psychology (/kəmˈparətɪv saɪˈkɒlədʒi/) is the branch of psychology that involves the study of animal behavior and mental processes. It seeks to compare and understand the behavior across different species to provide insights into human behavior.

Etymology

The term "comparative psychology" was first used in the 19th century. The word "comparative" comes from the Latin comparativus, meaning "pertaining to comparison", and "psychology" comes from the Greek words psyche meaning "soul" and logos meaning "study". Thus, comparative psychology is the study of the soul or mind using comparative methods.

History

Comparative psychology has its roots in the work of Charles Darwin and George Romanes. Darwin's theory of evolution and Romanes' concept of animal intelligence laid the groundwork for the field. The discipline grew in the 20th century with the work of psychologists like Ivan Pavlov and B.F. Skinner, who used experimental methods to study animal behavior.

Related Terms

Animal cognition: The study of mental processes in animals.
Ethology: The scientific study of animal behavior, usually with a focus on behavior under natural conditions.
Behavioral ecology: The study of the ecological and evolutionary basis for animal behavior.
Psychobiology: The application of the principles of biology to the study of mental processes and behavior.
Cognitive ethology: The study of cognitive processes in non-human animals.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Comparative psychology
Wikipedia's article - Comparative psychology

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Comparative psychology