Some cool animal species images:
Seminar on Rhinoceros Iguana Wednesday 24 November
Image by NTU - Brackenhurst
School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences
Research Seminar Programme 2010/2011
Sensitivity to reward change as a potential measure of emotion in the Rhinoceros iguana
Presented by Dr Oliver Burman, University of Lincoln
Wednesday 24th November 2010
12.30 - 1.30pm
TG9
When an animal unexpectedly experiences a reward loss, in either quantity or quality, a behavioural response is observed that is thought to reflect a negative emotional state akin to ‘disappointment’ and/or ‘frustration’ in humans. This sensitivity to reward change has been demonstrated in a range of animal species, including mammals and birds. Yet, despite several studies, there has been no successful demonstration of this phenomenon in a reptilian species; possibly due to the selection of inappropriate methodologies. Dr Burman will describe a study in the Rhinoceros iguana in which sensitivity to reward loss, based on established food preferences, is investigated as a potential measure of emotion.
All welcome!
Dr Oliver Burman studied Biology at Southampton followed by an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare at Edinburgh. He then did a PhD investigating social recognition and memory in laboratory rats at the University of Bristol before starting work as a post-doctoral researcher (still in Bristol) on projects including laboratory rodent welfare, the use of vocalisations as welfare indicators, and the development of cognitive methods to assess emotional state in a range of animal species.
