Professional profile
Wojciech Pisula (born March 8, 1965) - Polish psychologist, professor at the Institute of Psychology (www.psych.pan.pl), Polish Academy of Sciences, chairman of the scientific board of this Institute (2011-2015). His field of interests include comparative psychology, animal behavior, sensation seeking, exploratory behavior of animals, response to novelty and adaptation to change. Member of the National Committee For Ethics in Animal Experimentation of The Ministry of Science and Higher Education in 2005-2013, and 2015-2019.
Contact: wojciech.pisula@gmail.com
Scientific Career
M.A. in 1988, graduated from the Department of Psychology at Warsaw University. In 1990 he earned a Ph.D. in psychology. The promoter of the doctoral thesis was Jan Matysiak. In 1998 he obtained a post-doctoral degree (habilitation) for his dissertation on curiosity and exploratory behavior. In 2003 he achieved the title of professor of the humanities.
Fulbright award in 1997.
Member of:
The International Society For Comparative Psychology
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
Polish Ethological Society
For more information see:
pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wojciech_Pisula
Contemporary involvements and activities (links below):
Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Science;
Interdisciplinary Centre for Research in Animal and Human Behavior;
ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-5777-0549
Publication list
Click PDF sign for full text (if available).
Books
Pisula, W. (2020). Curiosity and Information Seeking in Animal and Human Behavior (2nd ed.). Irvine CA: BrownWalker Press. Link
Pisula, W. (2009) Curiosity and information seeking in animal and human behavior. Boca Raton, Florida, USA: BrownWalker Press. PDF
Pisula, W. (Red/Ed) (2006). Psychologia Porównawcza [Comparative Psychology]. Warszawa: Academica, PWN.
Pisula, W. (2003). Psychologia zachowań eksploracyjnych zwierząt [Psychology of exploratory behavior in animals]. Gdańsk: GWP. PDF
Pisula, W. (1998). Ciekawość i zachowania eksploracyjne - psychologia nie tylko zwierząt [Curiosity and exploratory behavior - not just animal psychology]. Warszawa: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego. PDF
Articles and chapters
Modlinska, K., Chrzanowska, A., & Pisula, W. (2020). Variability of enriched environment does not enhance the enrichment effect on food neophobia in rats (Rattus norvegicus). Behavioural Processes, 180(August), 104221. Link
Modlinska, K., Adamczyk, D., Goncikowska, K., Maison, D., & Pisula, W. (2020). The Effect of Labelling and Visual Properties on the Acceptance of Foods Containing Insects. Nutrients, 12(9), 2498. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12092498 PDF
Modlinska, K., Adamczyk, D., Maison, D., & Pisula, W. (2020). Gender Differences in Attitudes to Vegans/Vegetarians and Their Food Preferences, and Their Implications for Promoting Sustainable Dietary Patterns–A Systematic Review. Sustainability, 12(16), 6292. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166292 PDF
Pisula, W. (2020). Exploratory Behavior. In Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior (pp. 1–9). Cham: Springer International Publishing. Link
Modlinska, K., & Pisula, W. (2020). Novelty. In: Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior (pp. 1–3). Cham: Springer International Publishing. Link
Pisula, W., & Modlinska, K. (2020). Protocol for Measuring Free (Low-stress) Exploration in Rats. Bio-Protocol, 10(2), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.21769/BioProtoc.3485 PDF
Modlinska, K., & Pisula, W. (2020). The Natural History of Model Organisms: The Norway rat, from an obnoxious pest to a laboratory pet. eLife, 9, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.50651 PDF
Pisula, W. (2020). Curiosity. In: Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior (Vol. 53, pp. 1–4). Cham: Springer International Publishing. Link
Pisula, W., Modlinska, K., & Chrzanowska, A. (2019). Behavioural Response to the Environmental Changes of Various Types in Lister-Hooded Male Rats. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 7111. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-42924-1 PDF
Modlinska, K., Chrzanowska, A., & Pisula, W. (2019). The impact of changeability of enriched environment on exploration in rats. Behavioural Processes, 164(February), 78–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2019.04.015 PDF
Welniak–Kaminska, M., Fiedorowicz, M., Orzel, J., Bogorodzki, P., Modlinska, K., Stryjek, R., Pisula, W., Grieb, P. (2019). Volumes of brain structures in captive wild-type and laboratory rats: 7T magnetic resonance in vivo automatic atlas-based study. PLOS ONE, 14(4), e0215348. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0215348 PDF
Pellis, S., Pellis, V., Himmler, B., Modlinska, K., Stryjek, R., Kolb, B., & Pisula, W. (2019). Domestication and the role of social play on the development of socio-cognitive skills in rats. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 32. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7fj3z5f5 PDF
Modlinska, K., & Pisula, W. (2018). Selected Psychological Aspects of Meat Consumption—A Short Review. Nutrients, 10(9), 1301. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10091301, PDF
Pisula, W., Łukasik, A., Kawa, R., & Pisula, E. (2018). Exploratory Analysis of the Links among Life History, Reproductive Strategy, Autism-Spectrum Quotient, and Quality of Life. Psychology, 09(09), 2312–2336. https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2018.99132, PDF
Modlinska, K., Stryjek, R., Chrzanowska, A., & Pisula, W. (2018). Social environment as a factor affecting exploration and learning in pre-juvenile rats. Behavioural Processes, 153, 77–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2018.05.010 PDF
Modlinska, K., & Pisula, W. (2018). Social influences on food neophobia in nonhuman animals. In: Steve Reilly (Ed). Food Neofobia, (pp. 3-24). Cambridge, MA: Woodhead Publishing, Elsevier. Link to the published chapter . PDF
Modlinska, K., & Pisula, W. (2016). Exploratory Analysis of the Links among Food Consumption Profiles, Prenatal Androgens, and Selected Measures of Quality of Life. Frontiers in Public Health, 4(October). http://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2016.00240 PDF
Himmler, Stephanie M; Himmler, Brett T; Stryjek, Rafał; Modlińska, Klaudia; Pisula, Wojciech; & Pellis, Sergio M. (2016). Pinning in the play fighting of rats: A comparative perspective with methodological recommendations. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 29. uclapsych_ijcp_29340. Retrieved from: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/2jm2z5wc. PDF
Muller, P., Chrzanowska, A., & Pisula, W. (2016). A Critical Comment on the Monty Roberts Interpretation of Equine Behavior. Psychology, 07(04), 480–487. http://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2016.74049 PDF
Pisula, W. (2016). Levels of Consciousness. Open Journal of Philosophy, 06(01), 51–58. http://doi.org/10.4236/ojpp.2016.61006 PDF
Chrzanowska, A., Modlinska, K., Stryjek, R., & Pisula, W. (2016). Response to Perceptual Novelty in Tortoises-A Preliminary Study. Journal of Biology and Life Science, 7(1), 12. http://doi.org/10.5296/jbls.v7i1.8766 PDF
Pisula, W. (2015). Poziomy świadomości. Przegląd Filozoficzny - Nowa Seria, 2(94), 383–397. PDF
Pisula, E., Danielewicz, D., Kawa, R., & Pisula, W. (2015). Autism spectrum quotient, coping with stress and quality of life in a non-clinical sample – an exploratory report. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 13(1), 173. PDF
Himmler, Brett T; Himmler, Stephanie M; Stryjek, Rafal; Modlińska, Klaudia; Pisula, Wojciech; & Pellis, Sergio M. (2015). The Development of Juvenile-Typical Patterns of Play Fighting in Juvenile Rats does not Depend on Peer-Peer Play Experience in the Peri-Weaning Period. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 28. uclapsych_ijcp_24177. Retrieved from: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/9wh1h32n. PDF
Pisula, E., Kawa, R., Danielewicz, D., & Pisula, W. (2015). The Relationship between Temperament and Autistic Traits in a Non-Clinical Students Sample. PLOS ONE, 10(4), e0124364. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0124364. PDF
Pisula, W., Modlinska, K., Chrzanowska, A., & Stryjek, R. (2015). Behavioural Differences in Brown-Norway and Wild-Type Rats Maintained in Standard or Enriched Environment in Response to Novelty in a Familiarised Environment. Psychology, 6(February), 251–262. doi:10.4236/psych.2015.63025. PDF
Modlinska, K., Stryjek, R., & Pisula, W. (2015). Food neophobia in wild and laboratory rats (multi-strain comparison). Behavioural Processes, 113, 41–50. doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2014.12.005. PDF
Himmler, S. M., Modlinska, K., Stryjek, R., Himmler, B. T., Pisula, W., & Pellis, S. M. (2014). Domestication and diversification: A comparative analysis of the play fighting of the Brown Norway, Sprague-Dawley, and Wistar laboratory strains of (Rattus norvegicus). Journal of Comparative Psychology (Washington, D.C. : 1983), 128(3), 318–27. doi:10.1037/a0036104. PDF
Pisula, W., & Pisula, E. (2014). Autism prevalence and meat consumption - a hypothesis that needs to be tested. Medical Hypotheses, 83, 488–493. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2014.08.007. PDF
Pisula, W. (2013). Wszyscy kłamią [Everybody lies]. Academia, 36(4), 12–15. PDF
Śniegulska, M. & Pisula, W. (2013). Object exploration in 3- to 7-year-old children. Psychological Reports, 113(2), 528-539. PDF
Himmler, B. T., Stryjek, R., Modlinska, K., Derksen, S. M., Pisula, W., & Pellis, S. M. (2013). How Domestication Modulates Play Behavior: A Comparative Analysis Between Wild Rats and a Laboratory Strain of Rattus norvegicus. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 127(4), 453-464. doi: 10.1037/a0032187. PDF
Pisula, W, Turlejski, K. Charles, E.P. (2013). Comparative Psychology as Unified Psychology: The Case of Curiosity and Other Novelty-Related Behavior. Review of General Psychology, 17(2), 224 –229. PDF
Stryjek R., Modlińska K., Turlejski K., Pisula, W. (2013). Circadian Rhythm of Outside-Nest Activity in Wild (WWCPS), Albino and Pigmented Laboratory Rats. PloS ONE, 8(6), e66055. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0066055. PDF
Pisula, W., Turlejski K. , Stryjek, R., Nałecz-Tolak, A., Grabiec, M., Djavadian , R.L. (2012). Response to novelty in the laboratory Wistar rat, wild-captive WWCPS rat, and the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). Behavioral Processes, 91, 145–151. Link
Pisula, W. (2012). Mądry koń Hans. Konie I Rumaki, (07), 54–55. PDF
Stryjek R., Modlinska K., and Pisula W. (2012). Species Specific Behavioural Patterns (Digging and Swimming) and Reaction to Novel Objects in Wild Type, Wistar, Sprague-Dawley and Brown Norway Rats. PLoS ONE 7(7), e40642. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0040642. PDF
Stryjek R., Modlinska K., and Pisula W. (2012). Response to spatial and nonspatial change in wild (WWCPS) and Wistar rats . Polish Psychological Bulletin, 43 (2), 124-131. PDF
Kaleta, T., Pisula, W., Fiszdon, K. & Kondrakiewicz, P. (2011). Individual differences in police dog handlers. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 42 (2), 52-55. PDF
Tanaś Ł. & Pisula W. (2011). Response to novel object in Wistar and wild-type (WWCPS) rats . Behavioural Processes, 86, 279–283. PDF
Pisula W. (2010). Individual differences in wild (WWCPS) rat – manifested in the exploration box . Polish Psychological Bulletin , 41 (1), 31-35. PDF
Pisula W. (2009) Phylogenetic development of exploratory activity. In: P. Ostaszewski & M. Trojan (Eds) From rat lab to the future. A tribute to Jan Matysiak (pp 53-71). Warsaw: Vizja Press & IT. PDF
Pisula W. (2008). Play and Exploration in Animals – A Comparative Analysis. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 39 (2), 104-107. PDF
Stryjek R. & Pisula W. (2008). Warsaw Wild Captive Pisula Stryjek rats (WWCPS) - Establishing a breeding colony of Norway Rat in captivity . Polish Psychological Bulletin, 39 (2), 67-70. PDF
Pisula W. Oniszczenko W. (2008). Genetyka zachowania i psychologia ewolucyjna. W: J. Strelau i D. Doliński, (red) Psychologia – podręcznik akademicki (s.304-338). Gdańsk GWP.
Pisula W. (2007) Stimulus and information seeking behavior – a comparative and evolutionary perspective. In: L.V. Brown (Ed). Psychology of motivation, pp 167-179. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. PDF
Pisula W., Stryjek R. and Nałęcz-Tolak A. (2006). Response to novelty of various types in laboratory rats. Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis, 66, 235-243. PDF
Pisula, W. (2006). Zachowania eksploracyjne, dociekliwość zwierząt [Exploratory behavior – inquisitiveness in animals]. W: W. Pisula, (Red) (2006). Psychologia Porównawcza (s. 213-223). Warszawa: Academica, PWN.
Greenberg, G., Partridge T., Weiss, E., Pisula, W. (2006). Psychologia porównawcza, nowa perspektywa na XXI wiek [Comparative Psychology – A New Perspective for the 21st Century: Up the Spiral Staircase ]. W: W. Pisula, (Red) (2006). Psychologia Porównawcza (s. 54-80). Warszawa: Academica, PWN.
Pisula, W. (2006). Zachowanie się zwierząt – propozycja standardu edukacyjnego [Animal behavior: education-standard proposal]. Medycyna Weterynaryjna, 62, 135-138. PDF
Pisula, W. & Siegel, J. (2005). Exploratory behavior as a function of environmental novelty and complexity in male and female rats. Psychological Reports, 97, 631-638. PDF
Pisula, W. (2004). Neofilia i neofobia nie są biegunami jednego wymiaru. [Neophilia and neophobia are not the extremes of common dimension]. Kolokwia Psychologiczne, 12, 19-25. PDF
Pisula, W. (2004). Exploratory behavior – inquisitiveness in animals. In: M. Bekoff (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior (pp 574-581). Westport, Connecticut; London: Greenwood Press. PDF
Pisula, W. (2004). Response to novelty in low-stress conditions in rats. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 35, 99-103. PDF
Greenberg, G., Partrige, T., Weiss, E. & Pisula, W. (2004). Comparative Psychology – A New Perspective for the 21st Century: Up the Spiral Staircase. Developmental Psychobiology, 44, 1-15. PDF
Komorowska, J. & Pisula, W. (2003). Does changing levels of stress affect the characteristics of grooming behavior in rats? International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 16, 237-246. PDF
Pisula, W. (2003).The Roman high- and low-avoidance rats respond differently to novelty in a familiarized environment. Behavioural Processes, 63, 63-72. PDF
Pisula, W. (2003). Costs and benefits of curiosity: the adaptive value of exploratory behaviour. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 34, 183-186. PDF
Pisula, W., Gonzalez Szwacka, A. & Rojek, E. (2003) Juvenile play fighting and adult investigatory responses in male rats. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 34(1), 47-49. PDF
Pisula, W. & Osiński, J.T. (2001). Różnice indywidualne w osobowości zwierząt. In: W. Ciarkowska & A. Matczak, (Red.) Różnice indywidualne: wybrane badania inspirowane Regulacyjną Teorią Temperamentu Profesora Jana Strelaua (pp. 247-256).Warszawa: Uniwersytet Warszawski, Interdyscyplinarne Centrum Genetyki Zachowania.
Pisula, W. & Osiński, J.T. (2001). Automatyczne i kontrolowane akty behawioralne - perspektywa porównawcza.[Automatic and controlled behavioral acts: comparative perspective] In: R.K. Ohme, M. Jarymowicz & J. Reykowski (Eds). Automatyzmy w procesach przetwarzania informacji (pp. 9-17). Warszawa: WIP, SWPS. PDF
Pisula, W. (2001). Narodziny i rozwój etologii poznawczej. [Birth and development of cognitive ethology] Kolokwia Psychologiczne, 9, 77-86. PDF
Pisula, W. (2001). Automatic and controlled behavioral acts - A comparative perspective. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 32, 17-20. PDF
Osiński J.T & Pisula W. (2001). Altruizm krewniaczy z perspektywy psychologii ewolucyjnej.[Kin altruism in the perspective of evolutionary psychology] Psychologia-Etologia-Genetyka, 3/4, 33-46.
Pisula, W. & Osiński, J.T. (2000). A comparative study of the behavioral patterns of RLA/Verh and RHA/Verh rats in the exploration box. Behavior Genetics, 30, 375-384. PDF
Pisula, W. (2000). Psychologia ewolucyjna. [Evolutionary Psychology] In: J. Strelau (Red.) Psychologia: podręcznik akademicki(s. 179-204). Gdańsk: Gdańskie Wydawnictwo Psychologiczne.
Pisula, E. & Pisula, W. (2000). Czy w Autyźmie możliwe jest przywiązanie? [Is attachment possible in autism?] Studia Psychologiczne, 38, 39-53.
Pisula, W. (1999). Pomiędzy zachowaniem się genów a genetyką zachowania.[Between behavior of genes and the behavior genetics] Psychologia-Etologia-Genetyka, 0, 7-9.
Pisula, W. (1999). Dobrostan zwierząt użytkowych - wybrane zagadnienia psychologii zwierząt [Well-being of farm animals - selected issues of animal psychology]. Przegląd Hodowlany, 47, 1‑3. PDF
Pisula, W. & Matysiak, J. (1998). Stimulus-seeking behavior. In: G. Greenberg & M.M. Haraway (Eds). Comparative Psychology: A Handbook (pp. 198-202). New York: Garland. PDF
Pisula, W. (1998). Pomiędzy taksją a ciekawością poznawczą - ewolucjań zachowa eksploracyjnych. [From taxes to cognitive curiosity - the evolution of exploratory behavior.] Studia Psychologiczne, 36, 8-16.
Pisula, W. (1998). Integrative levels in comparative psychology - the example of exploratory behavior. European Psychologist, 3, 62-69. PDF
Pisula, W. (1997). Rat behavior in the exploration box - cluster analysis. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 10, 74-89. PDF
Pisula, W. & Osiński J.T. (1996). Wielowymiarowa analiza zachowania się szczurów w teście eksploracji.[A multivariate analysis of rat behaviour in exploration test] Kosmos, 45, 391-401.
Pisula, W., Ostaszewski, P.M., Osiński, J.T. Trojan, M. & Matysiak, J. (1995). Exploratory behavior in comparative psychology of individual differences. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 26, 239-250. PDF
Pisula, W. (1995). Ciemniejsza strona życia Konrada Lorenza[Darker side of Konrad Lorenz's live]. Nowiny Psychologiczne, 1, 57-60. PDF
Matysiak, J., Ostaszewski, P.M. & Pisula, W. (1995). Effects of light deprivation and hyper-stimulation on exploratory behavior in rats. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 26, 251-256. PDF
Pisula, W. & Pisula, E. (1994). Podejście etologiczne w badaniach psychologicznych - na przykładzie badań nad autyzmem [Ethological approach to the psychological studies - example of the studies on autism]. Studia Psychologiczne, 32, 23-35. PDF
Pisula, W. (1994). Sequential analysis of rat behavior in the open field. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 7, 194-201. PDF
Ostaszewski, P. & Pisula, W. (1994). Sex and strain differences in anxiety, emotional reactivity, exploration, and need for sensory stimulation in rats. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 25, 137-146. PDF
Pisula, W., Ostaszewski, P. & Matysiak, J. (1992). Effects of physical environment and social experiences on stimulus seeking behavior and emotionality in rats (Rattus Norvegicus). International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 5, 124-137. PDF
Pisula, W. & Ostaszewski, P. (1992). Individual differences in aggressive behavior in rats with different temperamental characteristics. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 23, 4, 335-342. PDF
Pisula, E. & Pisula, W. (1992). Telekomunikacja i komputery w edukacji ustawicznej.[Telecommunication and computers in permanent education] Edukacja i dialog, 42, 37-41.
Ostaszewski, P.M., Pisula, W. & Watras, S. (1992). The effect of differentiated environmental stimulation during various stages in the development of the need for sensory stimulation in rats. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 23, 325-334. PDF
Ostaszewski, P.M., Pisula, W. & Matysiak, J. (1992). Genetic determination of variation in the level of the need for sensory stimulation and emotional reactivity in rats. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 23, 309-324. PDF
Matysiak, J., Ostaszewski, P. M., Pisula, W., & Watras, S. (1992). Genetic and Environmental Effects on The Need for Sensory Stimulation and Emotional Reactivity in Rats. In D. G. Forgays, T. Sosnowski, and K. Wrzesniewski, (Eds.) Anxiety: Recent Developments in Cognitive, Psychophysiological, and Health Research (pp. 167-177). Washington, Philadelphia, London: Hemisphere Publishing Corporation. PDF
Watras, S., Ostaszewski, P., Pisula, W. and Matysiak, J. (1991). Wpływ stresu socjalnego we wczesnym okresie rozwoju na zachowania emocjonalne szczurów. [Influence of social stress during early stage of development on emotional behaviors in rats] In: J. Matysiak & N.N. Danilova (Ed.) Stres i Różnice Indywidualne, (pp 91-101). Wydział Psychologii UW, Warszawa.
Korczynski, R., Pisula, W., Ostaszewski, P. & Matysiak, J.(1990). Effects of cortico-medial and baso-lateral lesions of the anterior amygdaloid area on the need for sensory stimulation and motor activity of rats. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 21, 255-263. PDF
Other papers and resources:
Elżanowski A., Pietrzykowski T., Pisula W., & Woleński J. (2013). Stanowisko wobec niektórych kwestii poruszanych w trakcie publicznej debaty na temat uboju religijnego zwierząt z pominięciem wstępnego pozbawienia zdolności odczuwania bólu i cierpienia, tzw. ogłuszania zwierząt. [The position about some of the issues raised during the public debate on religious slaughter of animals without stunning] Www.krytykapolityczna.pl, http://krytykapolityczna.pl/kraj/naukowcy-uboj-rytualny-jest-dzis-nie-do-obrony/. PDF
Pisula, W., Bębas, P. Elżanowski, A. (2015). Kolejny głos w sprawie uboju rytualnego. Panorama PAN, 6, marzec 2015, 7-8. PDF