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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 June 2023
The term “cognitive ethology” was introduced by Donald R. Griffin in his book The Question of Animal Awareness (1976). He regarded “cognitive ethology” as a study of the mental life of animals particularly as they solve everyday problems in their natural world.
A cognitive ethologist focusses on problems faced in an animal's natural world. We should be open to the possibility that the animals are solving more complex problems than have typically been set them in the lab. Thus ethological data may reveal more advanced animal cognitive capacities. On the other hand, laboratory study can lead one to search in the wild for cognitive capacities not previously apparent; the various ape and other animal “language” experiments are a case in point (Ristau and Robbins 1982 and Ristau in press). Furthermore, raising the possibility that animals have complex mental processes and are conscious may change the way we explore their behavior.
I thank D. Ingle and D. Mook for constructive comments and D. Ingle for extensive discussions and editorial suggestions as well.