4-2 Watters & Powell

Question 1

How many animals are in the care of zoos internationally?

Answer 1

over 1,000,000

Question 2

how many visitors see the zoo annualy?

Answer 2

hundreds of millions

Question 3

What does personality play a role in?

Answer 3

• structuring animal interactions and communities

- important for long term viability of populations

Question 4

Where has thevast majority of research into animal personality conducted?

Why here?

Answer 4

The vast majority of research into animal personality has been conducted on
captive animals where longitudinal observations of the same individuals in a variety of
situations and settings are possible.

Question 5

What is an advantage of zoos and aquariums in research

Answer 5

know them very well

keepers see them respond to lots of stimuli so can gauge how consistent behavioural traits are and see how they are manifested

zoos let us see how personality is inherited and shaped by the environment

Question 6

Yet there are few data on how

____, _____, and ___ interact.

Answer 6

Yet there are few data on how

personality, environment, and welfare interact.

Question 7

Yet there are few data on how
personality, environment, and welfare interact.

what is the best place to address this gap

Answer 7

zoos

Question 8

With approximately ____million people visiting just Association of Zoos and
Aquariums accredited institutions in the United States each year,

Answer 8

With approximately 150 million people visiting just Association of Zoos and
Aquariums accredited institutions in the United States each year,

Question 9

We felt that there were three primary roles that we ask

animals to fill in zoos:

Answer 9

be exhibit animals, breed (and successfully rear offspring), and
act as program animals

Question 10

Researchers have typically used the terms _____, _____, and

____ ____ more or less interchangeably

Answer 10

Researchers have typically used the terms personality, temperament, and
behavioral types more or less interchangeably

Question 11

Researchers have typically used the terms personality, temperament, and
behavioral types more or less interchangeably

why?

Answer 11

because we all agree that we are
interested in behavioral differences across individuals that are consistent over time and
across contexts or situations

Question 12

Historically, ‘‘personality’’
was a term reserved for ________________________________________________, whereas ‘‘temperament’’ was
more commonly used to describe _______________________________

Answer 12

Historically, ‘‘personality’’
was a term reserved for the studies of adult humans, whereas ‘‘temperament’’ was
more commonly used to describe behavioral differences among young children and
animals

Question 13

Historically, ‘‘personality’’
was a term reserved for the studies of adult humans, whereas ‘‘temperament’’ was
more commonly used to describe behavioral differences among young children and
animals

what does this reproresent?

Answer 13

This probably represents more of an anthropocentric bias than an empirical
distinction,

Question 14

What did Box (1999) argue temperament and personality refers to?

Answer 14

Box [Box, 1999] argued that ‘‘temperament’’ refers to behavioral
differences that have more of a genetic basis (a behavioral genotype), whereas
‘‘personality’’ includes behavioral differences that also have a non-genetic basis (the
behavioral phenotype).

Question 15

zoos generally decry anthropomorphic descriptions of animals, ascribing an animal a
personality is indeed not an anthropomorphic exercise

why is this not an issue in personality

Answer 15

Rather, the assumption of
anthropomorphism is misguided and occurs because the tools that have been used to
study personality in animals are in many cases modifications of tools that were used
to develop theories for and study the dynamics of personality in humans

Question 16

Studies of
animals [Gosling and John, 1999] often reveal that the structure of their personalities
is similar to that proposed in the ___ ____ ____ of human personality

Answer 16

Studies of
animals [Gosling and John, 1999] often reveal that the structure of their personalities
is similar to that proposed in the Five Factor Model of human personality

Question 17

The Five Factor Model includes what factors?

Answer 17

The Five Factor Model includes the factors:

extroversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, openness to experience, and conscientiousness

Question 18

The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator is

commonly used in humans and includes _____dimensions

Answer 18

The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator is

commonly used in humans and includes four dimensions

Question 19

The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator is
commonly used in humans and includes four dimensions

what is each factor composed as

Answer 19

Each factor
or dimension of personality is composed of facets, which are correlated categories of
behavioral traits. These traits are measured in personality assessment using
behaviors as indicators

Question 20

what are extraverted indiviudals like

Answer 20

Extroverted individuals may be gregarious, sociable, and/or

assertive

Question 21

Similarly, the approach favored by behavioral ecologists, while making no
assumptions regarding psychological processes, tends to find five descriptive trait
continua that are the basis for animal personalities [Re´ale et al., 2007]:

what are they?

Answer 21

shyness–

boldness, exploration–avoidance, activity, sociability, and aggressiveness

Question 22

These two approaches are referred to in the literature

as ____animal behavioral tendencies and ____animal behavior

Answer 22

These two approaches are referred to in the literature

as rating animal behavioral tendencies and coding animal behavior

Question 23

The majority of
all published studies (___%) employ the _____method [Gosling, 2001], while the
majority of studies performed in zoos employ the ____method.

Answer 23

The majority of
all published studies (74%) employ the coding method [Gosling, 2001], while the
majority of studies performed in zoos employ the rating method.

Question 24

what does the rating method rely on?

Answer 24

The rating method relies on experts familiar with both the subjects and a larger
sample of the species to ascribe values to individual’s behavioral traits.

Most often,
deploying this technique means asking persons who are very familiar with the subject
animals to consider each subject animal in relation to other animals of the species
with whom the rater is familiar.

Question 25

Because rating relies on cumulative experience and impression, it is a ______approach to measuring animals’ personalities.

Answer 25

Because rating relies on cumulative experience and impression, it is a subjective approach to measuring animals’ personalities.

Question 26

what is naturalistic rating?

Answer 26

raters very familiar with the species are asked to rate animals on the behavioral traits of interest after observing them for only a short period of time, perhaps as little as 10 min.

Question 27

are the raters familiar with subjects in naturalistic rating?

Answer 27

the rater is not generally familiar with the subjects as in the cumulative experience approach. Most often, raters answer questionnaires to describe the behavior of the animals of interest As such, the technique requires only a small amount of the rater’s time to obtain the necessary data to evaluate animal personalities. However, the proper design of the questionnaire requires a large amount of work prior to deployment.

Question 28

The coding technique involves what?

Answer 28

The coding technique involves direct observation and recording of animal behavior.

Question 29

who gathers the data in coding technique?

Answer 29

Observers familiar with a specific set of species behaviors gather data on the frequency of occurrence of these behaviors

Question 30

when can the coding technique be used?

Answer 30

The coding technique can be used while | observing the animals in either a naturalistic setting or a testing situation

Question 31

Coding done | using a naturalistic setting involves simply doing what?

Answer 31

Coding done using a naturalistic setting involves simply watching animals over an extended period of time and across numerous contexts This approach does not attempt to force animals to display their personalities but collects relevant data nonetheless.

Question 32

Coding done in a testing situation includes what

Answer 32

The testing | situation includes attempts to force the animals to display their personalities

Question 33

examples of coding doe w testing

Answer 33

researchers may offer novel objects to animals and record their response or place animals into a new setting and observe them. Other tests may include simulated predation attempts or observations on the exploitation of a new food source

Question 34

Behavior coding is generally considered to be more ____than the rating technique why?

Answer 34

because it does not rely on recollections of behavior, rather actual measurements of behavior taken in real time

Question 35

Because behavioral coding occurs in real time, the actual collection of useable data tends to be more ____ _____ than that for the rating method.

Answer 35

Because behavioral coding occurs in real time, the actual collection of useable data tends to be more time consumptive than that for the rating method.

Question 36

is coding or ratings more helpgul?

Answer 36

there does not appear to be a consensus in the literature regarding which approach actually provides the most useful results

Question 37

We also determined that ____is easier to learn than ____, why?

Answer 37

We also determined that coding is easier to learn than rating, as rating requires the development of an expert understanding of both species and individuals.

Question 38

less qualified individuals can more easily become qualified _____than they can as ____

Answer 38

less qualified individuals can more easily become qualified coders than they can as raters

Question 39

we decided that the _____ ______method was the most likely rating method to provide useful data.

Answer 39

we decided that the cumulative experience method was the most likely rating method to provide useful data.

Question 40

For coding, we decided that given many of the factors that might influence experimental reliability in zoos, the technique of ________________________________________ is likely to be most successful.

Answer 40

For coding, we decided that given many of the factors that might influence experimental reliability in zoos, the technique of watching animals over extended periods of time is likely to be most successful.

Question 41

when designing a rating questionnaire, what should the list be based on?

Answer 41

This list should be based upon previous literature, and expert and researcher opinion

Question 42

what are the next steps of designing a rating questionnaire?

Answer 42

The next several steps should include iterations of narrowing down or revising the list by a group of at least three experts on the species. Clearly, determining appropriate experts is a key to successfully developing a rating questionnaire.

Question 43

what do you do after a rating questionnaire is developed

Answer 43

After the questionnaire is developed, a rating scale must be determined and the questionnaire deployed with instructions that make the means of using the scale unequivocal.

Question 44

Raters should be certain to complete surveys without | doing what?

Answer 44

Raters should be certain to complete surveys without | discussing them with others.

Question 45

Individuals that meet some standard imposed by the researcher that identifies accurate raters should answer the questionnaire. what standards may these be

Answer 45

Such standards might include a certain number of years of experience with the species and subjects or cumulative experience with a certain number of the subject species.

Question 46

While it may be very difficult to impose an equally restrictive standard on raters for multiinstitutional studies, researchers should be able to __________ and demonstrate ___ ____

Answer 46

While it may be very difficult to impose an equally restrictive standard on raters for multiinstitutional studies, researchers should be able to justify their choice of raters and demonstrate rater reliability

Question 47

Just as in developing a rating study, researchers interested in developing a coding study should determine, with expert opinion and a survey of the literature, a ____________________________

Answer 47

Just as in developing a rating study, researchers interested in developing a coding study should determine, with expert opinion and a survey of the literature, a reasonable list of behaviors to observe.

Question 48

In the pure sense, an animal’s behavioral type can be | observed with as few as ____ observations

Answer 48

In the pure sense, an animal’s behavioral type can be | observed with as few as two observations

Question 49

In the pure sense, an animal’s behavioral type can be observed with as few as two observations when do these observations occur

Answer 49

These observations | generally occur at two distinct points in time or in two alternative contexts.

Question 50

These observations generally occur at two distinct points in time or in two alternative contexts. however, we feel that other things should be applied...

Answer 50

However, we feel that for applying an understanding of animal personalities to zoo animal management, an additional understanding of the relative likelihood of behavior in numerous conditions is required

Question 51

if one finds that relatively few numbers of behavioral observations adequately describe animals’ reactions in several circumstances, then a reduction in _____ _____ is reasonable.

Answer 51

if one finds that relatively few numbers of behavioral observations adequately describe animals’ reactions in several circumstances, then a reduction in sample effort is reasonable.

Question 52

While not attempting to provoke the expression of certain telling behaviors, watching animals in their day-to-day routines has several advantages over ____ _____ ____

Answer 52

While not attempting to provoke the expression of certain telling behaviors, watching animals in their day-to-day routines has several advantages over direct experimental work

Question 53

While not attempting to provoke the expression of certain telling behaviors, watching animals in their day-to-day routines has several advantages over direct experimental work what are these advantages

Answer 53

One is that it should simplify the research protocol approval process. Another advantage is that time-strapped animal care personnel do not necessarily need to be directly involved in data collection or experimental application.

Question 54

While there is no agreed upon minimum sample effort that is certain to provide adequate data, we feel that an understanding of animals’ behavioral tendencies will arise with as few as ___ ___-min observation sessions

Answer 54

While there is no agreed upon minimum sample effort that is certain to provide adequate data, we feel that an understanding of animals’ behavioral tendencies will arise with as few as ten 15-min observation sessions

Question 55

While there is no agreed upon minimum sample effort that is certain to provide adequate data, we feel that an understanding of animals’ behavioral tendencies will arise with as few as ten 15-min observation sessions how should these sessions be spread?

Answer 55

These sessions should be spread throughout the day and over several weeks in order to capture animal behavior in and around as many contexts as possible.

Question 56

In addition, attention should be paid to keeping track of relevant ____ that may influence behavior [Watters et al., 2009].

Answer 56

In addition, attention should be paid to keeping track of relevant covariates that may influence behavior [Watters et al., 2009]. These covariate data may include any number of things including novel social situations, recent environmental changes, etc.

Question 57

Regardless of the method used, the researcher obtains a number of measures of behavioral traits or actual behavioral frequencies that must then be consolidated into larger ____or ____

Answer 57

Regardless of the method used, the researcher obtains a number of measures of behavioral traits or actual behavioral frequencies that must then be consolidated into larger dimensions or factors

Question 58

Sample size can be an issue when deciding on which | analytical tools to use for data reduction, but when possible a ____ ____ ____ is recommended

Answer 58

Sample size can be an issue when deciding on which analytical tools to use for data reduction, but when possible a principle components analysis is recommended

Question 59

Sample size can be an issue when deciding on which analytical tools to use for data reduction, but when possible a principle components analysis is recommended why

Answer 59

as it statistically looks for correlations among variables and determines new variables that are not correlated by combining those that are into new variables. These new variables are the principal components. Those items that cluster together are given numerical loadings that indicate the direction and strength of their relationship to the overall component.

Question 60

PCA on data for water strider behavior and found that activity and aggression defined a single principal component that explained ___% of the variance in the behavior observed

Answer 60

PCA on data for water strider behavior and found that activity and aggression defined a single principal component that explained 70% of the variance in the behavior observed

Question 61

PCA A general guideline is that the study should include at least one subject or animal for ___ ____ or _____item measured.

Answer 61

A general guideline is that the study should include at least one subject or animal for each behavior or personality item measured.

Question 62

When sample sizes do not | permit a principle component analysis, another approach involves what?

Answer 62

When sample sizes do not permit a principle component analysis, another approach involves visually inspecting a correlation matrix of traits or behaviors and identifying clusters of items that are all significantly correlated with one another

Question 63

Once composite scores for each animal on each dimension are obtained, more straightforward statistical techniques can be used to determine what?

Answer 63

Once composite scores for each animal on each dimension are obtained, more straightforward statistical techniques can be used to determine which of the dimensions revealed in the analyses have explanatory or predictive power to delineate differences among individuals, populations, and species

Question 64

example of PCA w five factor model

Answer 64

with the Five Factor Model in mind, we might consider only measuring animals on the agreeableness vs. antagonism dimension to determine which animals are most likely to breed successfully with a new partner.

Question 65

what is the primary research focus at the moment

Answer 65

Our primary research focus at the moment is how to include animal personality in population planning that simultaneously optimizes genetic diversity, demographic health, educational value, and welfare.

Question 66

A _____ ___ ___appropriate for use in the Felidae would save a lot of time and energy in the research process and would facilitate cross species comparisons.

Answer 66

A standardized basic survey appropriate for use in the Felidae would save a lot of time and energy in the research process and would facilitate cross species comparisons.

Question 67

____ ___-____surveys would also rapidly increase sample sizes when data from various studies can be combined to draw conclusions about personality at the population level.

Answer 67

Standardized family-level surveys would also rapidly increase sample sizes when data from various studies can be combined to draw conclusions about personality at the population level.

Question 68

Previous work has suggested that animals’ personalities can be applied to improve what

Answer 68

- release programmes - conservation of free ranging animals - animal husbandry - management

Question 69

The suggestion that | we make here, that animals’ personalities affect the conservation missions of zoos both ___ and ____

Answer 69

The suggestion that we make here, that animals’ personalities affect the conservation missions of zoos both directly (e.g. endangered species breeding, captive animal welfare) and indirectly (e.g. through influencing guests learning experience), implies that animal behavior has a huge, untapped potential for affecting conservation