Animal Personality: The Science Behind Individual Variation

by Jill R. D. MacKay

Overview

From ‘scaredy cats’ to ‘moody cows,’ we often give animals personality when we talk about them, but does this have any basis in scientific fact? Only recently has science confirmed that animals have distinct individual personalities, shown through behavioural research. Animal Personality introduces the fundamentals of personality science and research, describing the history of behavioural testing, and then drills into scientific measurement, recording, and statistical analysis of individual personalities in animals. The author shows how the implications of animals having personalities affects how we treat and care for pets, farm animals, and wildlife. Interesting questions are posed, such as what is the evolutionary reason for traits like fearfulness, aggression and sociability? And it questions long held beliefs about animal traits such as dominance theory. 

Animal Personality provides a fascinating and informed insight into the science of personality and its application to non-human animals. Ethologists and animal owners will find this an illuminating and thought-provoking resource. [Subject: Veterinary Studies, Ethology, Animal Welfare]

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781912178384
Publisher:	5m Publishing
Publication date:	06/01/2018
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	(w) x (h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Preface vi

Acknowledgements vii

Chapter 1 Non-Random Behaviour 1

Chapter 2 The History of Personality 15

Chapter 3 Personality and Welfare 34

Chapter 4 Measuring Personality by Proxy and by Construction 54

Chapter 5 Experimental Design and Personality 69

Chapter 6 Fearfulness 83

Chapter 7 Aggression 98

Chapter 8 Sociability 113

Chapter 9 Miscellaneous Personality Traits 127

Chapter 10 What Is Personality? 145

Chapter 11 The Science of Individuals 165

References 184

Index 211