Adaptive Dynamics: The Theoretical Analysis of Behavior

John E. R. Staddon

ISBN 10: 0262194538 / ISBN 13: 9780262194532

Published by MIT Press Ltd, 2001

About this Item

John E. R. Staddon, MIT Press Ltd. In this book J.E.R. Staddon proposes an explanation of behaviour that lies between cognitive psychology, which seeks to explain it in terms of mentalistic constructs, and cognitive neuroscience, which tries to explain it in terms of the brain. Staddon suggests a new way to understand the laws and causes of learning, based on the invention, comparison, testing, and modification or rejection of parsimonious real-time models for behaviour. The models are neither physiological nor cognitive: they are behaviouristic. Staddon shows how simple dynamic models can explain a surprising variety of animal and human behaviour, ranging from simple orientation, reflexes, and habituation through feeding regulation, operant conditioning, spatial navigation, stimulus generalization, and interval timing.

Seller Inventory # 9780262194532-SECONDHAND

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Adaptive Dynamics: The Theoretical Analysis of Behavior
• Publisher: MIT Press Ltd
• Publication Date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0262194538
• ISBN 13: 9780262194532
• Binding: Hardback
• Book Type: Hardback

About this title

Synopsis

In this book J.E.R. Staddon proposes an explanation of behavior that lies between cognitive psychology, which seeks to explain it in terms of mentalistic constructs, and cognitive neuroscience, which tries to explain it in terms of the brain. Staddon suggests a new way to understand the laws and causes of learning, based on the invention, comparison, testing, and modification or rejection of parsimonious real-time models for behavior. The models are neither physiological nor cognitive: they are behavioristic. Staddon shows how simple dynamic models can explain a surprising variety of animal and human behavior, ranging from simple orientation, reflexes, and habituation through feeding regulation, operant conditioning, spatial navigation, stimulus generalization, and interval timing.

About the Author

J.E.R. Staddon is James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Professor of Zoology and Neurobiology at Duke University.