Animal Behaviour

Animal Behaviour by C. Lloyd Morgan is a seminal work that explores the intricacies of animal instincts and behaviors. Morgan a pioneering figure in comparative psychology emphasizes the importance of observing animals in their natural environments to understand their actions. He challenges the anthropocentric views of his time advocating for a scientific approach to studying animal behavior. Through detailed observations and analyses he provides insights into the motivations behind various animal actions laying the groundwork for future research in ethology and behavioral science. *** In this book Morgan introduces the concept of the canon of parsimony which suggests that simpler explanations should be preferred over more complex ones when interpreting animal behavior. His work highlights the significance of learning and experience in shaping behavior moving beyond mere instinctual responses. By documenting a wide range of species from insects to mammals Morgan illustrates the diversity of behavioral adaptations in the animal kingdom. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the fields of psychology biology and animal welfare influencing how we perceive and study animal life.