300555 VO+SE Comparative Biology of Cognition (2009S)

Comparative biology of cognition investigates mechanisms of cognition in relation to the socio-ecological and phylogentical background of the subjects. It is attempted to achieve models of cognition that are valid across species. I here outline the models and their hypothesis as well as methodological issues of comparative cognition. Traditionally, different topics of cognition are investigated in different taxonomical groups. However, the number of species investigated increased considerably during the last years. The topics of the lecture will be elaborated in the subsequent seminar by discussion and presentations of students.