Paul - Proximate and Ultimate Causes of Behaviour Flashcards
Explain the advantages of neuroethological approaches to study nervous systems.
A neuroethologist studies how (neural mechanisms) and why (evolution of behaviour) do animals respond to natural stimuli in the way that they do. They study neural bases of natural behaviours and cognitive capabilities (learning associations) in animals.
What is a proximate cause of a behaviour?
Mechanisms that trigger or control a behaviour.
“How does a behaviour occur or is modified?“
* What stimulus elicits the behavior?
* What physiological mechanisms mediate the response?
* How does the animal’s experience during growth and
development influence the response?
What is a ultimate cause of a behaviour?
Why the behaviour evolved or exists from a evolutionary perspective.
“Why does a behavior occur in the context of natural selection?“
* How does the behavior aid survival and reproduction?
* What is the behavior’s evolutionary history?
Describe why it is important to distinguish between the two types of causes.
By recognizing and distinguishing between these two types of causes, biologists can develop more comprehensive and accurate explanations for the complexity of life and its processes.
Define innate behaviours.
Genetically programmed, not learned. They include fixed action behaviours like courtship and taxis and kinesis.
What is a fixed action pattern?
- It is a sequence of unlearned acts directly linked to a simple stimulus
- Fixed action patters are unchangeable and once initiated usually carried to completion
- It is triggered by an external cue known as a sign stimulus.
Define Kinesis.
Stimulus induced, undirected movement
Define taxis and the different types of taxis.
Directed movement toward (positive) or away (negative) from a stimulus.
Geotaxis - negative is upwards, positive is downwards
Chemotaxis (smell) - Olfactory attraction, olfactory aversion
