Animal Cognition 101

Everyone loves animals. We learn about them in zoos and aquariums, rehabilitate them when they’re sick, observe their habits and abilities, and treat them as members of our families. One theme that is intentionally woven throughout the book is the importance of knowing a species’ natural history before making assumptions or drawing conclusions about an animal’s behavior. The book consists of eight chapters. All chapters include an “Animal Spotlight” and “Human Application” section. The book is divided into one history chapter, one theory and methods chapter, five content chapters, and a final chapter on future directions. In addition, it pays special attention to describing the different ways that researchers set up their studies to arrive at their conclusions. Chapter one and two discusses the history and methodology of animal cognition. Chapter three discusses animal consciousness. It takes an in-depth look at how philosophers and scientists have defined consciousness, specific cognitive abilities that might signal consciousness, and which animals can be said to have them, or a version of them. The main topics covered include theory of mind, self-awareness, and emotions. Chapter four focuses on communication. It addresses many different ways that animals communicate with each other, including vocal, gestural, and olfactory. Social cognition is featured in Chapter five. Social cognition involves the many complex ways in which animals engage socially among themselves. Chapter six addresses the overall flexibility of the animal mind. For centuries, there have been those who believe animals are mindless behaving machines. Finally, Chapter seven reminds that despite the fact research findings teaches what species on the whole can do, not all animals within a species are the same; individual differences exist. The final chapter eight brings everything together.