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Animal Behavior. Animal Behavior. Ethology = the study of animal behavior. History. Behavior. Behavior = a response to a stimulus. Innate Behavior. 2 types Reflex Instinct. Innate Behavior “ in born” Determined genetically it is predictable aides in survival and reproduction.
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Animal Behavior • Ethology = the study of animal behavior
Behavior • Behavior = a response to a stimulus
Innate Behavior • 2 types • Reflex • Instinct • Innate Behavior • “in born” • Determined genetically • it is predictable • aides in survival and reproduction
Reflex • Simplest type of innate behavior • A response determined by a fixed pathway in the nervous system
Reflex Examples Eyes blinking Hand on a hot stove
More Reflexs Pupils dilating Knee jerk reflex
Instinct • Complex innate behavior • Performed perfectly without learning
Circadian Rhythms • Instincts that are repeated on a 24 hour basis • Example – Activity periods • Nocturnal • Diurnal • Crepuscular (low light)
Learned Behavior • 5 types • Insight • Imprinting • Habituation • Classical Conditioning • Operant Conditioning • Learned Behavior • When an animal’s experience results in a change of behavior.
Characteristics • More often in animals with a complex nervous system • More often in animals with a longer life span • More often in animals with a lot of parental care • Is adaptable and offers a great potential for changing behavior
Insight • Reasoning or rational thinking • Ability to solve an unfamiliar problem without benefit of trial and error • Example – chimpanzees with boxes and hanging bananas Watch a pigeon do it!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDntbGRPeEU
Imprinting • Occurs in young animals • Animal forms strong social attachment to an organism soon after hatching • Rapid and irreversible – “Critical Period” • Konrad Lorenz and Geese
Habituation • Animal learns NOT to perform a certain behavior • After a period of exposure to stimulus, an animal stops responding • Examples • Prairie Dog towns near human trails (don’t “cry wolf”) • Living and sleeping near train tracks
Classical Conditioning • A response to a stimulus that would normally not cause such a response • Example • Ivan Pavlov and dogs • Salivation Reflex (bell -> food)
Operant Conditioning • If a behavior is followed by a reward (reinforcement), the animal is more likely to repeat that behavior • B.F. Skinner and pigeons • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtfQlkGwE2U • Example • Dog Training
Other Behavior Patterns • Orientation = move from place to place (compass in brain) ex. Birds • Courtship = hormones and mating • Aggression and Territoriality = defend area to secure food and mates • Social Behavior = groups/cooperation • Communication = all senses (sight, sound, touch, smell)