Animal Personality: The Science Behind Individual Variation

Explore the science behind why animals behave as individuals.

From "scaredy" cats to "moody cows," people often describe animals as having personalities, but what does science say? Animal Personality introduces the fundamentals of personality science, behavioral science, and ethology, showing how research has confirmed that animals can have distinct individual personalities.

This 224-page book by Jill R. D MacKay examines the history of behavioural testing before moving into scientific measurement, recording, and statistical analysis of individual variation in animals. It asks how researchers can identify traits such as fearfulness, aggression, and sociability, and what those traits reveal about animals as unique individuals.

• Introduces animal personality science and the research behind individual behavioral variation
• Explores the history of behavioural testing and how animal traits are studied and recorded
• Examines scientific measurement and statistical analysis of non-human animal personalities
• Considers practical implications for how people treat and care for pets, farm animals, and wildlife
• Looks at deeper questions involving evolution, social interaction, neurological and genetic bases of personality, domestication, and challenges to dominance theory

By connecting zoology, animal behavior, and personality science, this thought-provoking resource examines how personality affects animal care, welfare, domestication, and the way humans interpret animal needs. It also questions long-held beliefs about animal traits and asks whether humans have anthropomorphised animals' social interactions.

Ideal for ethologists, animal owners, students, and readers interested in behavioral research, Animal Personality offers an informed and fascinating look at the science of individuality in non-human animals.

Dr Jill R D MacKay is a researcher and lecturer at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh. She is extremely passionate about science communication and has been heavily involved with the Jeanne Marchig Centre for International Animal Welfare Education's outreach practices, including the Animal Behaviour and Welfare Massive Open Online Course. She coordinates and teaches on a range of animal welfare courses at the University of Edinburgh, from postgraduate to further education levels.