Introduction and History (L1)

Question 1

What were 3 major assumptions of behaviorism?

Answer 1

1. Behavior results from simple reflexes linked together by “conditioning”, which is a form of learning.
2. Learning is the most important aspect of behavior, not instinct.
3. Worrying about what goes on inside an animals head is irrelevant, because one may attribute to animals untestable concepts such as feelings, expectations, and other such “mental states”. We cannot effectively test a subjective assumption.

Question 2

What were the major criticisms of behaviorism?

Answer 2

Ignored evolution, genetics, instinct, and natural environment.

Question 3

What types of studies in ethology were emphasized?

Answer 3

Evolution of behavior, especially instinct.

Question 4

Major criticisms of Ethology

Answer 4

1. Too many uncontrolled variables in a natural environment.
2. Little investigation into the underlying mechanisms of instinct.
3. Little rigorous testing of data (behaviorists and psychologists developed statistical tests).
4. Too subjective (People said that you couldn’t prove exactly what something was in ethology).

Question 5

Why is animal behavior considered a soft science?

Answer 5

It’s an incredibly complex subject, difficult to simplify due to complex interactions between heredity, environment and a free will.

Question 6

What are releasers?

Answer 6

Simple features in the natural world that trigger certain innate behaviors. E.g. hunger pains release crying in newborn bebes.

Question 7

What is imprinting of parents by young?

Answer 7

Recognition or bonding of an infant to a parent or foster parent, which occurs innately at a critical period during development and is irreversible.

Question 8

Niko Tinbergen and his unique approach to studying animal behavior

Answer 8

The founder of experimental ethology. His unique approach was to observe, then experiment.

Question 9

Vero Wynne-Edwards (1906-1997) and his theory

Answer 9

Developed theory of group selection. Believed that animals genetically programmed to behave for the good of the group.

Question 10

George Williams (1926-Present)

Answer 10

Developed theory of individual selection. He believed that natural selection was stronger for individuals than for groups.

Also developed theories for the evolution of sex.

Question 11

William Hamilton (1936-2000)

Answer 11

Developed theories of kin selection and sex ratios. He explained how individuals may benefit by sacrificing their reproduction.

Question 12

Edward Wilson (1929-present)

Answer 12

Founder of sociobiology. Interpreted human behavior on the basis of animal behavior.