Behaviour

Question 1

Behaviour

Answer 1

The interaction between an organism and its environment, that is based on the exchange of information between the two.

Question 2

What is the 3 vector model of behaviour?

Answer 2

A model that divides behaviour into 3 vectors: input, state and output.

Question 3

Input vector

Answer 3

the complex process by which the senses and the brain work together to interpret information coming from the environment.

Question 4

Sign stimulus

Answer 4

simple key features of a complex stimulus that bring about a particular fixed action pattern e.g. male robin will attack red feathers

Question 5

State vector

Answer 5

the processing that occurs before the reaction is brought about –> brain, CNS

Question 6

Output vector

Answer 6

elements of behaviour generated by the animal, accessible throughout observation e.g. bird song, locomotor behaviour

Question 7

What is a proximate explanation?

Answer 7

Explanation that related the mechanisms which bring about the expression of the behaviour (what happens) e.g. animal chases away competition

Question 8

What is an ultimate explanation?

Answer 8

why the proximate processes should arise e.g. animal chases away competition to increase chances of mating

Question 9

Motivation

Answer 9

the internal decision-making process by which the animal chooses to perform a particular behaviour

Question 10

What are the 3 phases of motivated behaviour?

Answer 10

Phase I - Orientation - prey not detected Phase II - Oriented -prey detected Phase III - Consumption - killing and eating prey Phase IV - Satiation

Question 11

Where in the brain is feeding initiated?

Answer 11

Lateral hypothalamus *feeding behaviour can be organised from periphery, not just hypothalamus; interaction between 2*

Question 12

Where in the brain is satiation initiated?

Answer 12

Ventromedial hypothalamus *feeding behaviour can be organised from periphery, not just hypothalamus; interaction between 2*

Question 13

Stereotypic behaviour

Answer 13

repetitive behaviour induced by frustration, repeated attempts to cope and/or CNS dysfunction

Question 14

Characteristics of stereotypic behaviour

Answer 14

Repetitive Invariant No function

Question 15

What is the function of stereotypic behaviour?

Answer 15

Coping hypothesis states that a particular stereotyped response leads to stress reduction and improved wellbeing.

Question 16

Enrichment

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Examples of environmental enrichment

Answer 17

Physical (housing design) Occupational (exercise, toys, furniture) Nutritional Social Sensory

Question 18

Arguments against environmental enrichment

Answer 18

Expensive Luxury not a need (debatable) Increases variability of lab animal data Extra work

Question 19

Is there a neurological basis for stereotypes like other behaviour?

Answer 19

YES

Question 20

What are the two types of stereotypic behaviour?

Question 21

Frustration-induced stereotypic behaviour

Answer 21

behaviour driven directly by motivational frustration, anxiety or physical discomfort

Question 22

Malfunction-induced stereotypic behaviour

Answer 22

behaviour that arises from event(s) that impair brain function (e.g. early weaning, chronic stress)

Question 23

What is a circadian rhythm?

Answer 23

a daily rhythmical change in behaviour or in a physiological process.

Question 24

What is an infradian rhythm?

Answer 24

a rhythm with a period longer than the period of a circadian rhythm e.g. reproductive cycle

Question 25

What is an ultradian rhythm?

Answer 25

A rhythm with a period shorter than the period of a circadian rhythm.

Question 26

Zeitgeber

Answer 26

Any endogenous clue that entrains the endogenous time-keeping system of organisms e.g. light = the strongest Zeitgeber