Unit 1: Introduction and History of Ethology

Question 1

Ethology

Answer 1

The study of behavior, its cause, and biological function

Question 2

What is behavior?

Answer 2

All activities animal engage in

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

Question 3

Aristotle

Answer 3

Published observations and ideas about animal behavior

Question 4

John Ray

Answer 4

Published text on instinctive behavior of birds

Question 5

Charles Darwin

Answer 5

“The Expression of the Emotions of Man and Animals”

–> First modern work of comparative ethology

Question 6

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

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What did Niko Tinbergen do?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Tinbergen’s 4 Questions

Answer 8

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)?

Question 9

Fixed Action Patterns (FAP)

Answer 9

Instinctive responses that occur reliably (mating behaviors/ rituals)

Question 10

Comparative vs Social ethology

Answer 10

Comparative: looking at animals as individuals

Social: social groups of animals, social structure

Question 11

Behavioral ecology

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Cognitive ethology

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Applied ethology

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Welfare assessment

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Optimizing production

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Behavioral control

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Behavioral disorders

Answer 17

Disorders caused by

• Malfunctioning equipment
• Poor human management

examples: aggression, inappropriate urination, anxiety

Question 18

The goal of applied ethology

Answer 18

Prevent or cure behavioral disorders

Question 19

Companion animal behavior

Answer 19

Careers: veterinarian, trainer, behaviorist, researcher

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

Question 20

Nature vs. Nurture

Answer 20

Nature: instincts, genetics

Nurture: environment raised in, learned behavior

Question 21

Genetic effect on behavior

Answer 21

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

Question 22

What is gene expression controlled by?

Answer 22

environmental factors

Question 23

When expressed, what do genes control the production of?

Answer 23

proteins, hormones, enzymes

Question 24

Principles required for evolution

Answer 24

1. Variation must exist in the behavior
2. Some variation must be of genetic origin
3. Natural selection of behaviors occurs

Question 25

Does evolution create new behaviors?

Answer 25

No, but they may be a modified version

Question 26

Modified behaviors

Answer 26

Modified versions of the ancestral form

Question 27

Function of behaviors

Answer 27

Survival of the fittest

Question 28

What benefit is ultimately measured by reproductive success?

Answer 28

Fitness

Question 29

What must optimal behavior weigh?

Answer 29

Must weigh the costs and benefits of performing a task

Question 30

Domestication

Answer 30

animal’s care, breeding, etc. subject to control pf humans

Question 31

Training

Answer 31

Individual animal

Question 32

What animals were chosen for domestication? Why?

Answer 32

Dogs, cats, horses, livestock.

Because they had a benefit to humans (food, companionship, work)

Question 33

Do domesticated animals have increased or decreased fitness by living around humans?

Answer 33

Increased

Question 34

Characteristics of domesticated animals

Answer 34

• Herbivores and omnivores (cats are exception)
• Physical traits (size, meat)
• Behaviors (social, no strong mating bond)