Tinbergen's Legacy
Function and Mechanism in Behavioral Biology

A cast of leading animal biologists reflect on the enduring significance of Nobel laureate Niko Tinbergen's groundbreaking proposals for behavioural biology.

Johan Bolhuis (Edited by), Simon Verhulst (Author)

9780521874786, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 15 January 2009

264 pages, 4 b/w illus.
23.4 x 15.6 x 1.7 cm, 0.53 kg

'The field [of behavioural biology] has changed considerably in the last forty years and [this] book in its nine chapters provides a useful update on the subject.' Biologist

Nobel laureate Niko Tinbergen laid the foundations for the scientific study of animal behaviour with his work on causation, development, function and evolution. In this book, an international cast of leading animal biologists reflect on the enduring significance of Tinbergen's groundbreaking proposals for modern behavioural biology. It includes a reprint of Tinbergen's original article on the famous 'four whys' and a contemporary introduction, after which each of the four questions are discussed in the light of contemporary evidence. There is also a discussion of the wider significance of recent trends in evolutionary psychology and neuroecology to integrate the 'four whys'. With a foreword by one of Tinbergen's most prominent pupils, Aubrey Manning, this wide-ranging book demonstrates that Tinbergen's views on animal behaviour are crucial for modern behavioural biology. It will appeal to graduate students and researchers in animal behaviour, behavioural ecology and evolutionary biology.

1. On aims and methods of ethology N Tinbergen
2. Tinbergen's four questions and contemporary behavioural biology Jerry A. Hogan and Johan J. Bolhuis
3. Causation: the study of behavioural mechanisms Jerry A. Hogan
4. Tinbergen's fourth question. Ontogeny: sexual and individual differentiation David Crews and Ton Groothuis
5. The development of behaviour: trends since Tinbergen (1963) Jerry A. Hogan and Johan J. Bolhuis
6. The study of function in behavioural ecology Innes Cuthill
7. The evolution of behaviour, and integrating it towards a complete and correct understanding of behavioural biology Michael J. Ryan
8. Do ideas about function help in the study of causation? David F. Sherry
9. Function and mechanism in neuroecology: looking for clues Johan J. Bolhuis.

Subject Areas: Animal behaviour [PSVP], Evolution [PSAJ], History of science [PDX]