09382 - Animal and Comparative Psychology

Learning outcomes

The course intends to offer a synthetic view of actual knowledge in the field of Etology. From an evolutionary point of view it will be examined the meaning of the animal and human behavior.

Course contents

The course will take place during the first semester (from 28 September to all october 2026) at the Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari" (address: Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5).

Introductory notes.

Methods of research.

Physiological aspects.

Readings/Bibliography

Vallortigara Giorgio (2000). Altre menti. Lo studio comparato della cognizione animale. Bologna: il Mulino.

Teaching methods

Traditional didactics.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Assessment methods

Oral examination.

The exam will be conducted by the course instructor. It typically consists of two questions based on chapters from the textbook "Altre menti". Each answer will be graded on a scale of 0 to 15, based on the clarity and completeness of the response. The final grade will be the sum of the two scores.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Projector, Overhead projector.

Office hours

See the website of Vincenzo Natale