Hydraulic Model Flashcards
What is the hydraulic model
It suggests that each fixed action pattern has a reservoir of ‘action specific energy’ ASE that builds up over time.
The appropriate signs stimulus causes the IRM to release this energy and the animal then performs the FAP.
After performing this FAP, the reservoir of ASE is empty and the behaviour can not be repeated until ASE has restored.
What is a problem with the hydraulic model
Lorenz believed that there was an issue with the feedback. He argued that when levels of ASE reached a critical point, this would lead to a performance of a FAP.
This would then lead to a reduction in biological energy and a corresponding reducing in the likelihood of aggressive behaviour.
However, this argument was challenged by the work of Von holst. Who showed that the performance of an aggressive behaviour could itself provide further stimuli which, rather like reducing the likelihood of aggression, increased it.
