ethological explanation

Question 1

what is ethology

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

why is this relevant to humans

Answer 2

Ethologists study species with specific or unique behaviors so we can see how some human behaviors may operate.

Question 3

what are the 2 ethological explanations (you got this gorjus)

Answer 3

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

Question 4

what is fixed action pattern

Answer 4

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

Question 5

what is innate releasing mechanisms

Answer 5

innate neural circuits which initiate fixed action pattern

Question 6

who came up with the hydraulic model

Answer 6

lorenz (monkeys guy)

Question 7

is this model for faps or irm

Answer 7

faps

Question 8

what does this model state

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

what does it mean by rituals are ‘ballistic’

Answer 9

It cannot be stopped once initiated.
It continues regardless of changes in the environment.
Once initiated FAPs run to completion.

Question 10

where have anthropologists found ritrualised aggression in human beh

Answer 10

aggression in tribal warfare in human cultures
(tribes g)

Question 11

u got this!
what is an example of this

Answer 11

Inuit Eskimos, song duels are used to settle grudges and disputes.

Question 12

who discovered that

Answer 12

Hoebel (1967)

Question 13

what limits the ‘FAPS’ theory

Answer 13

Human need for flexibility in response trumps our need for a FAP- our cognitive capacity is superior to other animals

Question 14

who studied this

Answer 14

Eibl-Eibesfeldt (1972)

Question 15

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!)

Answer 15

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

Question 16

what did say Eibl-Eibesfeldt (1972)

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

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)

Answer 17

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

Question 18

whats an example study by Lorenz of every member of species will act in same way as a

Answer 18

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

Question 19

whats a strength- can use wolf study

Answer 19

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.