The Use of Animals for Understanding the Effects of Malnutrition on Human Behavior: Models vs. a Comparative Approach

The development of infant intersensory perception: Advantages of a comparative convergent-operations approach.

“…It is also important to emphasize that we are not suggesting that other animal species simply be used as a model for the study of human behavior (see Fleischer & Turkewitz, 1984;Staddon, 1989). Rather, we argue that the study of a wide range of organisms allows for the comparison of similarities and differences that can be highly informative for a deeper understanding of the development of intersensory perception.…”

“…The utilization of interdisciplinary, comparative, and convergent research strategies seems an important step in discovering and defining the various conditions, experiences, and events (both internal and external to the organism) necessary and sufficient to support the emergence and maintenance of normal perceptual development. As pointed out by a number of psychologists over the past 30 years, comparative and convergent research can significantly inform theories of human behavior not only in cases where similarities are found but also in cases where differences in the mechanisms underlying behavior are found (see Ettlinger & Wilson, 1990; Fleischer & Turkewitz, 1984; Overmier & Burke, 1992; Schneirla, 1966). This type of approach is in keeping with the vision of the pioneering developmentist Zing-Yang Kuo (1967, 1970), who promoted the need for coordinated efforts in developmental studies over 3 decades ago.…”