Abnormal Behavior

Question 1

Normal Behavior

Answer 1

The behavior expressed by an animal subject to its environmental & evolutionary pressure with minimal intervention

Question 2

Abnormal Behavior

Answer 2

An untypical reaction to a particular combination of motivational factors or stimuli. It may lack function it cause the animal harm.

Question 3

Displacement Behavior

Answer 3

Occurs when frustration arises as a result of not being able to complete a simple highly motivated behavior. This resulting abnormal behavior IS NOT related to the originally motivated behavior and is irrelevant to the situation in which it appears.

Ex. Destructive behavior / Polydipsia / Sexual Behavior / Excessive grooming

Question 4

Vacuum Behavior

Answer 4

Results from frustration of the inability to express a highly motivated behavior. The abnormal behavior IS relevant to the source of frustration but is performed without the appropriate stimuli or environmental conditions.

Ex. Chewing air - Giraffes

Question 5

Stereotypic Behavior

Answer 5

Behavior that is repetitive, invariant (done EXACTLY the same way each time) and has no obvious function. Vacuum and displacement behavior can become stereotypic if not solved.

Question 6

Two hypotheses of stereotypic behavior

Answer 6

Behavioral Needs Function:
- A behavior that is genetically programmed and is not responsive to the changing demands of Captivity (ex. Bird has to migrate even if it has plenty food and shelter in captivity)

Reward Function:
- The repetitive nature of the behavior and release of rewarding opioid soothes the stressed animal and is very reinforcing.

Question 7

Abnormal Behavior Causes

Answer 7

Locomotor, perceptual, social deprivation
Unnatural social groups
Nutritional deficiencies
Brain damage
Early weaning
Pain
Forced exposure to a stimulus

Question 8

Abnormal Behavior Solutions

Answer 8

Prevention (stop it before it becomes stereotypic)
Avoid early and sudden weaning
Ensure development in complex challenging environments with interactions
Immediately respond to first sign of vacuum or displacement behavior
Observation
Enrichment