This relates to our understanding of the biological bases of normal and abnormal behavior as it reflects the ultimate plasticity of behaviors and the limits of adaptability. The essential question addressed in this research, then, is why we have the brains that we have. Research has shown reptiles to be ideal subjects for investigations of the neural and hormonal control of behavior. Second, many reptile species fulfill the criteria essential for effective investigation of the biological bases of behavior. That is, many species are conspicuous and easy to observe in their natural habitat.
Reptiles have complex yet highly stereotyped and species-characteristic behavior patterns.
Experimental manipulation of individuals is possible in the field and, when transferred into semi-natural laboratory conditions, animals continue to exhibit behavioral patterns and social structures similar to those observed in nature. Further, a number of reptile species reproduce reliably and at frequent intervals in captivity. Finally, the reptilian brain may be viewed as the foundation from which the qualities of the mammalian central nervous system are derived. All of these attributes, plus the many unique qualities of reptiles, make them appropriate model systems for demonstrating psychological phenomena which, in mammals, are difficult to isolate and dissect into their component parts. Throughout this period the students work under my direction on a variety of important biomedical problems.