Comparative psychology

Comparative psychology, branch of psychology concerned with the study of animal (including human) behavior at different stages of development to discern similarities and differences in species. A single activity (for example, mating) performed by different species may be investigated, or the behavioral pattern of 2 or more related species may be studied, either in their natural environment or in controlled surroundings. The principal behavioral patterns studied by comparative psychologists include communication, learning, migration, orientation, reproductive behavior, and social behavior.

See also: Psychology.