Topic 1 - Behavioural Concepts

Question 1

What is behaviour?

Answer 1

a phenotypic feature, it is the result of the interaction between the environment and genetics at any given time.

Question 2

What are the two ways in which behaviour is normally described?

Answer 2

The physical action and the consequence of the behaviour (or suspected aim)

Question 3

What are the 4 different explanations for why a behaviour happens?

Answer 3

Cause, Ontogeny, Phylogeny, Function

Question 4

What are the two broad approaches to studying animal behaviour?

Answer 4

ethology and psychology

Question 5

What is the emphasis in ethology?

Answer 5

study animals in the natural state and concentrate on characteristics inherited from one generation to the next.

Question 6

What is the emphasis in psychology?

Answer 6

mostly interested in the development of behaviour with an individual, they tend to emphasise the importance of environment and nurturing.

Question 7

A bit about evolution and behaviour?

Answer 7

• Provides frame work to check or test interpretations
• Lays behavioural foundations for groups/individuals
• Highlights relationship between form and function.
• Emphasises distinction between heritable traits and others.

Question 8

What are the 5 evolutionary factors in Darwinian theory?

Answer 8

Variation
Heritability
Competition
Natural selection 
Adaptation

Question 9

What is altruism? Do horses express this?

Answer 9

A selfless action which shows concern for the welfare of others, it may result in the death of the selfless individual.

No, horses do not express this behaviour.

Question 10

Consequences of domestication on horse behaviour?

Answer 10

Poor mothering
Reduced grazing efficiency
Reduced flight response
Changed social relations

Question 11

List the 3 kinds of traits that are advantageous to a horses survival in regards to domestication?

Answer 11

Sexual selection traits, exploitation traits (learning), survival traits

Question 12

What is instinctive behaviour? they are triggered by..? and less open to…?

Answer 12

behaviour that is almost complete the first time it is expressed.
tend to be triggered by events or impressions and are less open to modification

Question 13

What is learned behaviour?

Answer 13

behaviours that take longer to develop and

are affected by the environment

Question 14

What are critical periods or sensitive phases?

Answer 14

periods when the horse is more sensitive to learning new behaviours.

Question 15

When is the neonatal phase? A bit about?

Answer 15

2hrs from birth. Foal must stand/walk/suckle/bond

Question 16

When is the transitional phase? A bit about?

Answer 16

2 weeks. Learn from mare’s response to environment

Question 17

When is the social phase? A bit about?

Answer 17

4-12 weeks. Social play/interact w herd members

Question 18

A bit about the juvenile phase?

Answer 18

Play and activities focused on adult social skills

Development during this phase determines the individuals ultimate position in the herd

Question 19

Imprint training takes advantage of..?

Answer 19

neonatal and transitional phases

Question 20

Maturation training takes advantage of..?

Answer 20

transitional, socialisation and juvenile phases.

Question 21

briefly describe “cause” in relation to explaining behaviour

Answer 21

Cause -nerve impulses from brain lead to coordinated muscle contraction to bring about galloping gait

Question 22

briefly describe “ontogeny” in relation to explaining behaviour

Answer 22

Ontogeny (in one’s lifetime) -during early development foal learned how to coordinate legs/body =>gallop

Question 23

briefly describe “phylogeny” in relation to explaining behaviour

Answer 23

Phylogeny (history) -Horses gallop because that is the way they evolved to move most efficiently at high speed (those who did not adapt died out)

Question 24

briefly describe “function” in relation to explaining behaviour

Answer 24

Function -galloping is the best way to avoid a

predator

Question 25

List the phases of behaviour in order from earliest to latest

Answer 25

1. Neonatal phase
2. Transitional phase
3. Social phase
4. Juvenile phase
5. Maturation of behaviour

Question 26

Behaviour is the consequence…?

Answer 26

of constant interaction of genetic factors w/ the environment

Question 27

Why is understanding behaviour important?

Answer 27

increases understanding of the animal
leads to improved welfare
leads to more efficient training methods
increases safety for horse & human
improves performance outcomes

Question 28

Adaptation is the development of…?

Answer 28

a change as a consequence of the environment, not a deliberate change to suit the environment

Question 29

What is domestication?

Answer 29

the process of a population of animals becoming adapted to man and a captive environment.
Involves genetic change & environmentally induced development.