Unit 1: Introduction and History of Ethology Flashcards

1
Q

Ethology

A

The study of behavior, its cause, and biological function

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2
Q

What is behavior?

A

All activities animal engage in

  • -> locomotion, grooming, reproduction, caring for young, communication
  • can be simple or complex
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3
Q

Aristotle

A

Published observations and ideas about animal behavior

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4
Q

John Ray

A

Published text on instinctive behavior of birds

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5
Q

Charles Darwin

A

“The Expression of the Emotions of Man and Animals”

–> First modern work of comparative ethology

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6
Q

What were the two schools of thought about animal behavior in the 20th century?

A
  1. U.S. researchers: behavioristic approach
    -controlled experiment in a laboratory setting
    - mechanism of learning acquisition of behavior
    B.F. Skinner –> Skinner box (reward/shock) to encourage behavior
  2. European researchers: naturalistic approach
    - observations of animals in the wild
    - instinctive, innate, and adaptive behavior
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7
Q

What did Niko Tinbergen do?

A

Developed methodology for behavioral experiments
- Altered environment and recorded behavior
changes

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8
Q

Tinbergen’s 4 Questions

A
  1. What is the cause of this behavior?
  2. How does the behavior developed during ontogeny
    (learned experiences)?
  3. What is the function of the behavior?
  4. How does the behavior develop during phylogeny
    (evolution)?
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9
Q

Fixed Action Patterns (FAP)

A

Instinctive responses that occur reliably (mating behaviors/ rituals)

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10
Q

Comparative vs Social ethology

A

Comparative: looking at animals as individuals

Social: social groups of animals, social structure

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11
Q

Behavioral ecology

A

Based on Tinberg’s questions, cost/benefit analysis of behaviors

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12
Q

Cognitive ethology

A

Studies what animal perceived, felt, and knowledge in relation to their behavior

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13
Q

Applied ethology

A

Study of the behavior of domestic animals (animals managed by humans)
—> animal welfare, optimizing production, behavioral
controls, behavioral disorders

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14
Q

Welfare assessment

A

Welfare of animals in farm, zoo, laboratories
~ what type of cage is best
~ What are the most essential behavior patterns
~ How is the animal affected if it cant behave in a
certain way

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15
Q

Optimizing production

A

How can we utilize what we know about behavior to improve production?
—> Feeding patterns, weaning time, important behaviors

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16
Q

Behavioral control

A

Control behavior of captive animals, use behavioral knowledge to improve controls of animals

17
Q

Behavioral disorders

A

Disorders caused by

  • Malfunctioning equipment
  • Poor human management

examples: aggression, inappropriate urination, anxiety

18
Q

The goal of applied ethology

A

Prevent or cure behavioral disorders

19
Q

Companion animal behavior

A

Careers: veterinarian, trainer, behaviorist, researcher

Goals: to prevent behavioral disorders, improve interactions with humans and animals

20
Q

Nature vs. Nurture

A

Nature: instincts, genetics

Nurture: environment raised in, learned behavior

21
Q

Genetic effect on behavior

A

Genes carry instructions for behavior but do not predetermine an animal’s behavior.

22
Q

What is gene expression controlled by?

A

environmental factors

23
Q

When expressed, what do genes control the production of?

A

proteins, hormones, enzymes

24
Q

Principles required for evolution

A
  1. Variation must exist in the behavior
  2. Some variation must be of genetic origin
  3. Natural selection of behaviors occurs
25
Does evolution create new behaviors?
No, but they may be a modified version
26
Modified behaviors
Modified versions of the ancestral form
27
Function of behaviors
Survival of the fittest
28
What benefit is ultimately measured by reproductive success?
Fitness
29
What must optimal behavior weigh?
Must weigh the costs and benefits of performing a task
30
Domestication
animal's care, breeding, etc. subject to control pf humans
31
Training
Individual animal
32
What animals were chosen for domestication? Why?
Dogs, cats, horses, livestock. Because they had a benefit to humans (food, companionship, work)
33
Do domesticated animals have increased or decreased fitness by living around humans?
Increased
34
Characteristics of domesticated animals
- Herbivores and omnivores (cats are exception) - Physical traits (size, meat) - Behaviors (social, no strong mating bond)