Karen Hollis
Professor of Psychology and Education
Education
- B.A., Slippery Rock State College
- Ph.D., University of Minnesota
Courses Taught
- Introduction to Psychology
- Animal Behavior
- Introduction to Learning and Motivation
- Laboratory Animal Behavior
- Seminar in the Biological Bases of Behavior
Interests
Generally the goal of my research is to integrate the study of animal learning (predominantly a psychological approach) and animal behavior (predominantly a zoological approach). For some time I have been researching the biological function of Pavlovian (or, classical) conditioning -- that is, the way in which Pavlovian conditioning contributes to an animal's reproductive success. I am particularly interested in the classically conditioned behavior of fish, lizards and, more recently, insects. In my spare time, I enjoy camping, canoeing, hiking and cross-country skiing.
Selected Publications
Hollis, K.L., Blouin, L.A., Romano, M.C., Langworthy-Lam, K.S., & Siegenthaler, J.A. 2004. Maintaining a competitive edge: Dominance hierarchies, food competition and strategies to secure food in green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) and firemouth cichlids (Thorichthys meeki). International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 17, 22-240.
Hollis, K.L., Langworthy-Lam, K.S., Blouin, L.A., & Romano, M.C. 2004. Novel strategies of subordinate fish competing for food: Learning when to fold. Animal Behaviour, 68, 1155-1164.
Clotfelter, E.D. & Hollis, K.L. (2008). Cognition in domestic dogs: Object permanence and social cueing. The American Biology Teacher, 70, 293-298.
Hollis, K.L. (1999). The role of learning in the aggressive and reproductive behavior of blue gouramis (Trichogaster trichopterus). Environmental Biology of Fishes, 54, 355-369.
News Links
Karen Hollis Featured on Canadian Broadcast Quirks and Quarks
Out with the Fish, in with the Bugs
Dr. Ruth of the Aquarium World
Psychologist Karen Hollis "Goes Fishing" and Nets a Research Breakthrough
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