Behaviour Flashcards
Behaviour
The interaction between an organism and its environment, that is based on the exchange of information between the two.
What is the 3 vector model of behaviour?
A model that divides behaviour into 3 vectors: input, state and output.
Input vector
the complex process by which the senses and the brain work together to interpret information coming from the environment.
Sign stimulus
simple key features of a complex stimulus that bring about a particular fixed action pattern e.g. male robin will attack red feathers
State vector
the processing that occurs before the reaction is brought about –> brain, CNS
Output vector
elements of behaviour generated by the animal, accessible throughout observation e.g. bird song, locomotor behaviour
What is a proximate explanation?
Explanation that related the mechanisms which bring about the expression of the behaviour (what happens) e.g. animal chases away competition
What is an ultimate explanation?
why the proximate processes should arise e.g. animal chases away competition to increase chances of mating
Motivation
the internal decision-making process by which the animal chooses to perform a particular behaviour
What are the 3 phases of motivated behaviour?
Phase I - Orientation - prey not detected Phase II - Oriented -prey detected Phase III - Consumption - killing and eating prey Phase IV - Satiation
Where in the brain is feeding initiated?
Lateral hypothalamus *feeding behaviour can be organised from periphery, not just hypothalamus; interaction between 2*
Where in the brain is satiation initiated?
Ventromedial hypothalamus *feeding behaviour can be organised from periphery, not just hypothalamus; interaction between 2*
Stereotypic behaviour
repetitive behaviour induced by frustration, repeated attempts to cope and/or CNS dysfunction
Characteristics of stereotypic behaviour
Repetitive Invariant No function
What is the function of stereotypic behaviour?
Coping hypothesis states that a particular stereotyped response leads to stress reduction and improved wellbeing.
Enrichment
actions taken to enhance the wellbeing of captive animals by identifying and providing key environmental stimuli The aim is to pre-empt and cure stereotypes
Examples of environmental enrichment
Physical (housing design) Occupational (exercise, toys, furniture) Nutritional Social Sensory
Arguments against environmental enrichment
Expensive Luxury not a need (debatable) Increases variability of lab animal data Extra work
Is there a neurological basis for stereotypes like other behaviour?
YES
What are the two types of stereotypic behaviour?
Frustration-induced stereotypic behaviour
behaviour driven directly by motivational frustration, anxiety or physical discomfort
Malfunction-induced stereotypic behaviour
behaviour that arises from event(s) that impair brain function (e.g. early weaning, chronic stress)
What is a circadian rhythm?
a daily rhythmical change in behaviour or in a physiological process.
What is an infradian rhythm?
a rhythm with a period longer than the period of a circadian rhythm e.g. reproductive cycle
What is an ultradian rhythm?
A rhythm with a period shorter than the period of a circadian rhythm.
Zeitgeber
Any endogenous clue that entrains the endogenous time-keeping system of organisms e.g. light = the strongest Zeitgeber
