Context and consciousness
Colin G. Ellard
Behavioral and Brain Sciences December 1, 1995 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x00040450 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Mongolian gerbils (in the cited example research) |
| Key points | Argues that human consciousness cannot be assumed to have survival value and that understanding its origins and possible function requires examining behavioral and neural precursors to consciousness in nonhuman animals, illustrated by research on context-dependent predator-fleeing decisions in Mongolian gerbils. |
Abstract
AbstractThe commentary argues (1) that we cannot be sure that human consciousness has survival value and (2) that in order to understand the origins and, perhaps, the function of consciousness, we should examine the behavioural and neural precursors to consciousness in nonhumans. An example is given of research on the role of context in decisions regarding fleeing from probable predators in the Mongolian gerbil.
Citations in the library
Cites 11
- Consciousness in Contemporary Science Oxford University Press eBooks March 12, 1992
- The Disorder of Consciousness in Schizophrenia Schizophrenia Bulletin 1987
- Advances in Consciousness Research Advances in Consciousness Research December 16, 2013
- Consciousness, dreams and virtual realities Philosophical Psychology 1995
- Consciousness and Brain Archives of General Psychiatry August 1, 1973
and 6 more in the library