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Psychology is the study of behavior and the mind. Behaviour is
an action or reaction that can be measured or observed (e.g. blinking,
increase in heart rate, display of fear, etc.) The study of the
mind involves both conscious and unconscious mental states and processes.
Biopsychology: the study of the biological underpinnings
of behaviour and mental processes and is based on the premise that
animals (including humans) have evolved to behave in ways that are
uniquely adaptive, ensuring survival and reproduction. This study
includes:
Behavioural genetics: the study of the extent to which
human and other animal characteristics (e.g. intelligence, personality)
are inherited
Behavioural neuroscience: the study of behaviour, brain
and nervous system.
Cognitive psychology: the study of how humans and other
animals acquire, process and utilize information (e.g. conditioning
and learning, problem solving, language, sensation and perceptions,
etc.)
Cognitive neuroscience: the study of physical activity
in different regions of the brain as the subject engages in tasks
Comparative psychology: the study of animal behaviour with
comparisons among different species (including humans)
Ethology: the study of the behavior of animals in their
natural habitats
Evolutionary psychology: the origins of human and other
animal behaviours (e.g. mate selection, aggression, etc.)
Much has been learned about the psychology of animals, offering
insights into social behaviour, sensory abilities,  development,
cognition and learning. The study of animals in captivity has given
researchers a clear understanding that animals can be anxious, frightened,
bored, depressed, self-destructive and otherwise disturbed in an
unnatural environment. Today, the highest standards of care require
that animals kept in laboratories, collections and zoos be housed,
fed, grouped and challenged in ways that ensure their psychological
and emotional well being. This aspect of animal care is called enrichment.
An enriched environment in the rehabilitation setting is necessary
for normal psychological development so that the animal, when released,
has the social and behavioral skills necessary to survival.
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