Animal Personality: The Science Behind Individual Variation

by Jill R MacKay

From ‘scaredy cats’ to ‘moody cows,’ we often give animals personality when we talk about them, but does this have any basis in scientific fact? Only recently has science confirmed that animals have distinct individual personalities, shown through behavioural research. Animal Personality introduces the fundamentals of personality science and research, describing the history of behavioural testing, and then drills into scientific measurement, recording, and statistical analysis of individual personalities in animals. The author shows how the implications of animals having personalities affects how we treat and care for pets, farm animals, and wildlife. Interesting questions are posed, such as what is the evolutionary reason for traits like fearfulness, aggression and sociability? And it questions long held beliefs about animal traits such as dominance theory. 

Animal Personality provides a fascinating and informed insight into the science of personality and its application to non-human animals. Ethologists and animal owners will find this an illuminating and thought-provoking resource. [ Veterinary Studies, Ethology, Animal Welfare]

224 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2018