Four part organization follows Tinbergen's classification of causal levels in the study of behavior Part I deals with the adaptive significance of behavior, Part II focuses on phylogenic history, Part III emphasizes developmental processes in relation to evolution, to early experience, and, and to the ontogeny of social behavior. Part IV looks at the mechanisms of basic associative learning processes, their generality across situations and species, and the emergence of higher cognitive processes in a variety of non-human animals. Allows students to recognize the multiplicity of levels in the study of behavior. Introduction to evolutionary theory for the psychologist. Provides students with extensive coverage of evolutionary principles from the perspective of behavior in both humans and non-human animals. Learning and cognition presented in a developmental and evolutionary framework. Introduces students to learning and cognition's connection with larger conceptual problems so that they can understand the origins of the complex psychological capacities displayed by humans. Brain evolution and human evolution.

Challenges students to think in dynamic terms about the origin of human behavior. List of Generalizations to be learned precede each chapter. Focuses students' attention on key points. Chapter reviews, key concepts, and a glossary. Provides students with review materials to reinforce concepts presented.