Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology
Domestication Lab
Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences
University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna
Dörfles 48
2115 Ernstbrunn

 

E-Mail to Hoi-Lam Jim

 

Research

I am interested in comparative psychology and I enjoy studying animal behaviour and cognition in a variety of species to further our understanding of human behaviour and cognition. My current work focuses on social cognition and cooperation in wolves (Canis lupus) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and I have previously worked on cognition in dogs and African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and human psychology.

Current Projects

Eavesdropping in wolves and dogs – Doctoral Program Cognition and Communication funded by FWF

Supervisors: Friederike Range, Claus Lamm, Sarah Marshall-Pescini

This project investigates whether wolves and dogs take the prior actions of potential partners (human and conspecific) with a third party into account when interacting with them. The experimental studies will be mainly carried out at the Wolf Science Center, but also at the Clever Dog Lab, Vienna, to make comparisons between dogs raised and living in different environments. This will enable the testing of various domestication hypotheses predicting differential behaviours of wolves and dogs in such social skills, and the findings may shed light on dog domestication and the evolution of cooperation.

Curriculum vitae

Education

2014-2015	MSc Animal Behaviour, University of Exeter, UK Thesis: Is self-directed behaviour in African elephants (Loxodonta africana) related to levels of tourist interaction? Supervisor: Natalie Hempel de Ibarra
2011-2014	BSc Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK Thesis: The effect of ostracism and placebo analgesia on affective state and cognitive ability Supervisor: Steve Hammett

Research experience

2016–2017	Research Assistant, Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology & Dog Cognition Centre, University of Portsmouth, UK
2015	Research Student, African Elephant Research Unit, South Africa
2014–2015	Student Internship, Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, University of Exeter, UK
2013–2014	Research Assistant, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK

Publications

Jim, H.-L., Range, F., Marshall-Pescini, S., Dale, R., & Plotnik, J. M. (2021). Investigating Indirect and Direct Reputation Formation in Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus). Frontiers in Psychology, 11(3480), 604372. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.604372

Jim, H.-L., Marshall-Pescini, S., & Range, F. (2020). Do dogs eavesdrop on human interactions in a helping situation? PLoS ONE, 15(8), e0237373. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0237373

Piotti, P., Spooner, R. M., Jim, H.-L. & Kaminski, J. (2017). Who to ask for help? Do dogs form an opinion on humans based on skilfulness? Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 195, 93-102. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2017.05.024