Patrick Bateson

This new edition of Measuring Behaviour is a guide to the principles and methods of quantitative studies of behaviour, with an emphasis on techniques of direct recording and analysis. All sections have been updated, the sections on statistical analysis and research design have been greatly expanded. Those attempting to measure behaviour for the first time are often appalled by the apparent difficulty of the job. Measuring behaviour is a skill, but one which can be mastered given some basic knowledge. The purpose of this book is to provide that basic knowledge in a succinct and easily understood form. Aimed primarily at undergraduate and graduate students in biology and psychology who are about to embark upon behavioural research projects, this book provides a concise review of methodology that will also be of great value to professional scientists of all disciplines in which behaviour is measured. Principles and techniques are explained clearly in simple and concise language. -- from back cover.

"How do we understand and explain the apparent dichotomy between plasticity and robustness in the context of development? Can we identify these complex processes without resorting to 'either/or' solutions? Written by two leaders in the field, this is the first book to fully unravel the complexity of the subject, explaining that the epigenetic processes generating plasticity and robustness are in fact deeply intertwined. It identifies the different mechanisms that generate robustness and the various forms of plasticity, before considering the functional significance of the integrated mechanisms and how the component processes might have evolved. Finally, it highlights the ways in which epigenetic mechanisms could be instrumental in driving evolutionary change. Essential reading for biologists and psychologists interested in epigenetics and evolution, this book is also a valuable resource for biological anthropologists, sociobiologists, child psychologists and paediatricians"--