Motivation

Question 1

Proximate level

Answer 1

HOW behaviour happens?
Tend to focus on internal mechanisms of behaviour
Includes motivational factors

Question 2

Ultimate level

Answer 2

WHY a behaviour occurs?

Deals with the evolutionary value of a behaviour

Question 3

Learning

Answer 3

An irreversible change in response to particular stimuli, as opposed to reversible changes that result from changes in motivation

Question 4

Behaviour

Answer 4

The study of behaviour is the study of the functioning of the nervous system

Looking at the output of nervous system, manifested as perceptions, thoughts, feelings and actions

Question 5

Framework for the study of behaviour

Answer 5

Distinguish into 3 parts:

1. Motor parts
2. Perceptual parts
3. Central parts

Question 6

Motor mechanisms (behaviour)

Answer 6

Observed actions can be very variable

Behaviour is plastic

E.g. chicken can achieve the same outcome of ingesting food even though it varies in how the motor action is performed in the specific situation

Question 7

Perceptual mechanisms (behaviour)

Answer 7

Solve the problem of stimulus recognition and are often associated with particular motor mechanisms

Question 8

3. Central mechanisms (behaviour)

Answer 8

Integrate the input from various perceptual mechanisms
Coordinate the output to the various motor mechanisms
Responsible for the timing and activation of the whole behaviour system

Question 9

Motivation (casual factors)

Answer 9

The actual inputs to the decision-making centre which are interpretations of a wide variety of external changes and internal states of the body .

Sensory input - e.g. food odour, food is seen
Internal input - deficiencies e.g. blood nutrient levels, diurnal patterns

Behaviour initiated will be altered by the previous experience of that animal

All changes in behaviour are a manifestation of he animals response to changes in casual factors

Question 10

Motivational state of an animal

Answer 10

A combination of the level of ALL casual factors