T(heodore). C. Schneirla (July 23, 1902–August 20, 1968) was among the preeminent comparative psychologists of the twentieth century. An ardent antireductionist, he framed the study of animal behavior and comparative psychology as a holistic, integrative research program (Tobach and Aronson 1970) using both analysis and synthesis (Maier and Schneirla 1935, enlarged in 1964). This program influenced some of the most important comparative psychologists of the twentieth century (e.g., see Aronson et al. 1970). Although those influenced by Schneirla is today a relatively small group (one of the last remaining scientists trained by Schneirla, Ethel Tobach, passed away in 2015 (Greenberg 2015; see also Greenberg, Ethel Tobach, this volume)). Schneirla’s ideas continue to influence the thinking of a great many contemporary scientists. Many adhere to his proposal that both psychology and biology are in essence developmental sciences. I also adhere to Schneirla’s approach to the study of...
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Greenberg, G. (2017). Approach/Withdrawal Theory. In: Vonk, J., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_1074-1
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