ethological explanation Flashcards
what is ethology
Ethology is the scientific study of animal behavior in natural environments.
Looking to understand behavior in their evolutionary context, and how adaptations become instinctual or innate.
why is this relevant to humans
Ethologists study species with specific or unique behaviors so we can see how some human behaviors may operate.
what are the 2 ethological explanations (you got this gorjus)
fixed action pattern
innate releasing mechanisms
called this bc we have an innate mechanism for aggression, and aggressive beh acts as a release
then builds up until the next release
what is fixed action pattern
a sequence of instinctive, unchangeable behaviors that are triggered by a specific stimulus. Once initiated, the sequence is carried out to completion, regardless of changes in the environment or the absence of the original stimulus.
universal- all species act like this
unstoppable
what is innate releasing mechanisms
innate neural circuits which initiate fixed action pattern
who came up with the hydraulic model
lorenz (monkeys guy)
is this model for faps or irm
faps
what does this model state
Rituals are situation specific.
Rituals are ‘ballistic’.
Cannot be stopped once initiated.
Once threshold is reached, the innate releasing mechanism is triggered the fixed action pattern is expressed.
what does it mean by rituals are ‘ballistic’
It cannot be stopped once initiated.
It continues regardless of changes in the environment.
Once initiated FAPs run to completion.
where have anthropologists found ritrualised aggression in human beh
aggression in tribal warfare in human cultures
(tribes g)
u got this!
what is an example of this
Inuit Eskimos, song duels are used to settle grudges and disputes.
who discovered that
Hoebel (1967)
what limits the ‘FAPS’ theory
Human need for flexibility in response trumps our need for a FAP- our cognitive capacity is superior to other animals
who studied this
Eibl-Eibesfeldt (1972)
what are some human faps he discovered (not a flashcard flashcard- make sure you know tho but dont be hard on yourself if you dont!)
Facial expressions:
Smiling when happy
Frowning when sad
Parental behaviour:
Mother soothing her child.
Sexual behaviour:
Eye contact
Touch
Aggression and defence:
Aggressive posturing or defensive reactions
retreating when threatened
what did say Eibl-Eibesfeldt (1972)
suggests FAPs less adaptive in modern times, as the flexibility of human behavior and the ability to respond to an ever-changing environment has proved more effective that the production of stereotypical, fixed patterns of behavior. Although non-human species may respond aggressively to specific sign stimuli, human behavior is far more varied and less predictable.
what does this basically not consider (point of evaluation as a weakness) (bit of a shit qu but yk think about what the above thing meanz)
doesnt account for individual differences- different people react differently given the same situation. may not be as universal as argued by ethologists- in animals every member of species will act in same way as a FAP
whats an example study by Lorenz of every member of species will act in same way as a
Lorenz (1952)
When two wolves fight, the loser submits and shows submissive beh like bowing head down, and the winner is instinctively inhibited from continued fighting and assert dominant beh like standing tall
whats a strength- can use wolf study
emphasized studying aggression in animals in their natural environment. This gives their findings greater ecological validity compared to laboratory-based research.
Evaluation: Studying aggression in natural settings (such as in wolf packs) helps researchers understand real-world social interactions and aggression, which may be more generalizable than artificial lab conditions.
