Dog Emotion and Cognition
Duke University
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Dog Emotion and Cognition will introduce you to the exciting new study of dog psychology, what the latest discoveries tell us about how dogs think and feel about us, and how we can use this new knowledge to further strengthen our relationship with our best friends.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1
Section
Course Information
Dog Emotion and Cognition is a course designed to introduce the exciting new science of dog psychology to any level of dog enthusiast. In learning about dogs you will be introduced to evolutionary and cognitive theory, learn about experimental methodology, see how dogs compare to other species, and even have the chance to try some of the cognitive games you learn about with your own dog. The course is a great introduction to the field of animal cognition and animal behavior but is also relevant to anyone interested in human evolution or even dog training. When you finish you will think about your dog in a new way, will be ready to apply your new knowledge, and will be prepared to take higher level classes in the evolutionary or cognitive sciences.
1 video (Total 1 min), 1 reading
1 readings
FAQs10m
2
Section
The Paradox of a Best Friend That Evolved From Our Worst Enemy
This module will provide an introduction to cognitive psychology and evolution, while having direct application to your dog. At the beginning of each lecture, Dr. Hare will suggest an optional reading from his book The Genius of Dogs, as well as free Dognition games to play at www.dognition.com/mooc. Dr. Hare discusses how our evolutionary relationship with dogs is a puzzle. He describes the meaning of cognition and what it looks like with modern research on animals. Last, he discusses what Dognition is and how can be used like a laboratory for the class.
5 videos (Total 41 min), 4 readings, 4 quizzes
5 videos
The Paradoxical Canine8m
Cognition Defined10m
Dognition, Part 16m
Dognition, Part 26m
4 readings
Introduction Slide10m
The Paradoxical Canines: Lecture Slides10m
What is Cognition: Lecture Slides10m
Dognition: Lecture Slides10m
4 practice exercises
Review: The Paradoxical Canine4m
Review: Cognition Defined4m
Review: Dognition4m
Module Quiz: Cognition Through the Ages6m
3
Section
How Biology Studies Cognitive Evolution
In this module, Dr. Hare describes how the internal processes of the mind are studied through experiments. He explains how animal problem solving is best explained as scientists work toward better understanding the topic. Next, he describes the ecological approach to cognition through an evolutionary lens, which involves Tinbergen's four levels of analysis.
10 videos (Total 67 min), 4 readings, 5 quizzes
10 videos
Why Experiments, Part 28m
Why Experiments, Part 33m
Ecological Approach to Evolution, Part 18m
Ecological Approach to Evolution, Part 28m
Ecological Approach to Cognition, Part 17m
Ecological Approach to Cognition, Part 28m
Theory of Mind, Part 14m
Theory of Mind, Part 25m
Theory of Mind, Part 35m
4 readings
Why Experiments: Lecture Slides10m
Ecological Approach to Evolution: Lecture Slides10m
Ecological Approach to Cognition: Lecture Slides10m
Theory of Mind: Lecture Slides10m
5 practice exercises
Review: Why Experiments?4m
Review: Ecological Approach to Evolution4m
Review: Ecological Approach to Cognition4m
Review: Theory of Mind4m
Module Quiz: How Biology Studies Cognitive Evolution10m
4
Section
Dogs Are Cognitively Remarkable
In this module, Dr. Hare describes how dogs are cognitively remarkable. He begins by explaining theory of mind, which, when viewed through the ecological approach, suggests that social problem solving drove primate and human cognitive evolution. Next, he describes how good dogs are at understanding communicative intentions, especially compared to apes. Dr. Hare has three hypotheses to explain the remarkable communication found in domestic dogs.
5 videos (Total 35 min), 2 readings, 3 quizzes
5 videos
Communicative Intentions, Part 27m
Communicative Intentions, Part 37m
Origins of Dog Sociality, Part 16m
Origins of Dog Sociality, Part 25m
2 readings
Communicative Intentions: Lecture Slides10m
Origins of Dog Sociality: Lecture Slides10m
3 practice exercises
Review: Communicative Intentions4m
Review: Origins of Dog Social Cognition4m
Module Quiz: Dogs are Cognitively Remarkable6m
5
Section
Evolutionary Accidents and Survival of the Friendliest
In this module, Dr. Hare explores three of his research studies he's done with foxes, New Guinea Singing Dogs, as well as research on wolves. He describes how early dog-wolves may actually be a product of natural selection rather than artificial selection, contrary to popular belief. He introduces a hypothesis called Survival of the Friendliest, which may explain how dogs, bonobos, and modern species evolved in contrast to close relatives, such as wolves and chimpanzees. Last, he relates the high level of social tolerance of these species to human by looking at human self-domestication.
9 videos (Total 63 min), 4 readings, 5 quizzes
9 videos
Discovering Domestication, Part 28m
Discovering Domestication, Part 37m
Artificial vs Self-Domestication, Part 16m
Artificial vs Self-Domestication, Part 27m
Ape Self- Domestication, Part 17m
Ape Self-Domestication, Part 27m
Human Self-Domestication, Part 14m
Human Self-Domestication, Part 25m
4 readings
Discovering Domestication: Lecture Slides10m
Artificial vs Self-Domestication: Lecture Slides10m
Ape Self-Domestication: Lecture Slides10m
Human Self-Domestication: Lecture Slides10m
5 practice exercises
Review: Discovering Domestication4m
Review: Artificial versus Self-Domestication4m
Review: Ape Self-Domestication4m
Review: Human Self-Domestication4m
Module Quiz: Evolutionary Accidents and Survival of the Friendliest8m
6
Section
Problems That Dogs Can and Cannot Solve
In this module, you will learn about the genius of dogs. Brilliant examples of the canine mind will be explored. Dogs seem to be capable of inferential reasoning using the "principle of exclusion" as well as learning new words by imitating humans. Next, Dr. Hare discusses dog's abilities to understand physical problem solving compared to other species (hint, this isn't most dog's strong suit). Last, he will discuss how dogs are not cooperative breeders, do have a relaxed social system, and are excellent hunting companions for humans.
8 videos (Total 55 min), 3 readings, 4 quizzes
8 videos
Dog Social Explosion, Part 27m
Dog Social Explosion, Part 38m
Physical Cognition Explosion, Part 16m
Physical Cognition Explosion, Part 25m
Dog Cooperation, Part 17m
Dog Cooperation, Part 26m
Dog Cooperation, Part 34m
3 readings
Dog Social Explosion: Lecture Slides10m
Physical Cognition Explosion: Lecture Slides10m
Dog Cooperation: Lecture Slides10m
4 practice exercises
Review: Dog Cognition Explodes: Understanding the Social World4m
Review: Dog Cognition Explodes: Understanding the Physical World4m
Review: Dog Cooperation4m
Module Quiz: Problems That Dogs Can and Cannot Solve6m
7
Section
Finding Your Dog's Genius
In this module, Dr. Hare will discuss the common myths of breed differences and what research (including citizen science Dognition data) has actually been done to understand potential differences between breeds. You will also listen to Dr. Hare debunk "aggressive dog breed" stereotypes by learning about the literature and studies that have been done on dog aggression. He poses an interesting question about the actual culprit for the dog aggression problem, which is not even a dog! Next, he will explain how important understanding dog cognition is to training strategies. Dr. Hare will discuss how, unfortunately, not all cultures love dogs, and some see them as food and pests. He suggests ways that humans can live with dogs for mutual benefit. Taking all that you've learned into account, Dr. Hare then discusses how Dognition is revolutionizing what we know about dogs and how beneficial it could be to your relationship with your dog as well as for science!
10 videos (Total 63 min), 6 readings, 4 quizzes
10 videos
Breed Differences, Part 25m
Dog Aggression, Part 16m
Dog Aggression, Part 29m
Teaching Genius, Part 16m
Teaching Genius, Part 27m
Teaching Genius, Part 35m
Dog's Best Friend8m
Citizen Science6m
Dognition Report2m
6 readings
Breed Differences: Lecture Slides10m
Dog Aggression: Lecture Slides10m
Teaching Genius: Lecture Slides10m
Dog's Best Friend: Lecture Slides10m
Citizen Science: Lecture Slides10m
Dognition Report: Lecture Slides10m
4 practice exercises
Review: Breed Differences in Cognition?4m
Review: Dog Aggression4m
Review: Teaching Genius4m
Module Quiz: Finding your Dog's Genius6m
8
Section
Final Exam
The final exam covering topics from all modules.
1 quiz
1 practice exercises
Final Exam58m
4.6
41%
83%
11%
Top Reviews
By NH•Nov 14th 2017
An excellent introduction to the world of dog cognition. Anyone who is interested in working with dogs, or just learning more about their new adopted family member should definitely take this course.
By BR•Sep 24th 2017
Muy interesante, un curso lleno de teorías y explicaciones en torno al concepto de cognición, un concepto complejo. Recomendado para aquellos que les interesa el tema de la mente humana y canina.
Instructor
Brian Hare
Associate ProfessorAbout Duke University
Duke University has about 13,000 undergraduate and graduate students and a world-class faculty helping to expand the frontiers of knowledge. The university has a strong commitment to applying knowledge in service to society, both near its North Carolina campus and around the world.
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