Ontogeny

This volume is devoted principally to the theme of behavioral develop ment. The study of ontogeny has attracted some of the most bitter and protracted controversies in the whole field of ethology and psychology. This is partly because the arguments have reflected more general and continuing ideological battles about nature and nurture. In the opening essay, Oppenheim shows how these debates have recurred in much the same form over the last century. His chapter also brings out a more worrying feature of such argument. He demonstrates that authors who are well known for their strongly held partisan views have written in much more balanced ways than is usually admitted. Although the ex cluded middle is familiar enough in academic argument, the dynamic tensions actually present in developing systems may be particularly prone to polarize debate about what is actually happening. This point is elegantly explored by Oyama in her essay on her concept of maturation.

Texte du rabat

This volume is devoted principally to the theme of behavioral develop­ ment. The study of ontogeny has attracted some of the most bitter and protracted controversies in the whole field of ethology and psychology. This is partly because the arguments have reflected more general and continuing ideological battles about nature and nurture. In the opening essay, Oppenheim shows how these debates have recurred in much the same form over the last century. His chapter also brings out a more worrying feature of such argument. He demonstrates that authors who are well known for their strongly held partisan views have written in much more balanced ways than is usually admitted. Although the ex­ cluded middle is familiar enough in academic argument, the dynamic tensions actually present in developing systems may be particularly prone to polarize debate about what is actually happening. This point is elegantly explored by Oyama in her essay on her concept of maturation.

Contenu
1 Preformation and Epigenesis in the Origins of the Nervous System and Behavior: Issues, Concepts, and Their History.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. Preformation and Epigenesis in the 18th Century.- IV. Preformation and Epigenesis in the 19th Century.- V. Recapitulation Theory and Embryology.- VI. Neopreformation, Neoepigenesis, and the Birth of Experimental Embryology.- VII. Roux's Contribution to the Heredity-Environment Question.- VIII. Weismann and the Role of the Environment in Development.- IX. Preformation and Epigenesis: A Final Resolution of Opposing Views (1900).- X. Genetics, Eugenics, and Instinct: Origins and Early Influences until 1910.- XI. Mendelian Genetics, Eugenics, and Instincts: Implications for Neurobehavioral Development (1910-1920).- XII. The Anti-instinct Movement and the Issue of Heredity vs. Environment (1920-1940).- XIII. A. Gesell, Infant Development, and the Issue of Maturation vs. Learning: A New Twist to the Heredity-Environment Controversy.- XIV. Neuroembryology and the Embryonic Origins of Behavior.- XV. Conclusions and Summary.- XVI. Acknowledgments.- XVII. References.- 2 A Reformulation of the Idea of Maturation.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. Maturation as a Dichotomous Concept.- IV. Coaction in Ontogenesis.- V. Maturation as Species-Typical Developmental Systems.- VI. Conclusion.- VII. Acknowledgment.- VIII. References.- 3 Ontogeny: Toward A General Theoretical Framework for Ethology.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. Background.- IV. Framework for Ontogeny.- V. Notes on the Remaining Framework for Ethology.- VI. Overview.- VII. Acknowledgments.- VIII. References.- 4 Motivation: A New Perspective on Some old Ideas Frederick.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. Motivational Systems.- IV. How DoesMotivation Develop?.- V. Motivation, Learning, and Goal-Directed Activities.- VI. Competition.- VII. Foraging.- VIII. Conclusion.- IX. Acknowledgments.- X. References.- 5 Problems in Animal Perception and Learning and their Implications for Models of Imprinting.- I. Abstract.- II. The Internal Representation as an Explanation of Imprinting.- III. Recognition and the Organization of Behavior.- IV. The Acquisition and Organization of a Representation.- V. Conclusions.- VI. Acknowledgments.- VII. References.- 6 Ontogeny of Learning.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. The Comparative Analysis of Learning.- IV. The Psychological Analysis of Learning: Common Comparative and Ontogenetic Research Strategies.- V. Associative Learning: Recent Formulations.- VI. The Ontogeny of Associative Learning.- VII. Conclusions.- VIII. Acknowledgments.- IX. References.- 7 Learning and Foraging Behavior.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. Psychological Research on Animal Learning.- IV. Foraging Ecology and Learning.- V. Heterosis.- VI. Barriers to Interdisciplinary Progress.- VII. Acknowledgments.- VIII. References.- 8 Evolutionary Issues in Development of Behavioral Flexibility.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. How Enrichment Affects Behavioral Capacities.- IV. Ecology and Evolution of Enrichment-Induced Plasticity.- V. Evidence.- VI. Suggestions for Research.- VII. Conclusions.- VIII. Acknowledgments.- IX. References.- 9 Intraspecific Variations in Mating Strategy.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. Definitions.- IV. Alternative Mating Strategies.- V. Decision Processes in Strategy Choice.- VI. Proximate Factors.- VII. Ultimate (Evolutionary) Explanations.- VIII. Conclusions.- IX. Acknowledgments.- X. References.- 10 Cooperation, Altruism, and Restraint in the Reproduction of Carnivores.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. Family Canidae.- IV. Family Felidae.- V. Family Hyaenidae.- VI. Family Viverridae.- VII. Family Procyonidae.- VIII. Discussion.- IX. Acknowledgments.- X. References.- 11 Reproductive Value and Behavioral Strategies: Coming of Age in Monkeys And Horses.- I. Abstract.- II. Concept of Reproductive Value.- III. Case Studies.- IV. Discussion.- V. Summary.- VI. Acknowledgments.- VII. References.- 12 Changes with Age in the Strategy of Social Behavior.- I. Abstract.- II. Introduction.- III. Kin Selection.- IV. On Eligibility and Generosity.- V. Altruism, Cooperation, and Competition.- VI. Matrix of Social Interactions.- VII. Appendix: Symbols Used in This Chapter.- VIII. Acknowledgments.- IX. References.