Animal Behavior

In Review

Nature versus Nurture

Behavior – action that can be observed and described.

Genetic influence Lovebirds, snakes, snails and human experiments Nervous and endocrine systems are both

responsible for the coordination of body systems Studies support the idea that certain types of

behavior have genetic basis

Nature versus Nurture

Environmental influences (nurture) Learning: durable change in behavior brought

about by experience. Laughing gull chicks pecking behavior Imprinting- sensitive period

Song learning with white crowned sparrows Associative learning – change in behavior that

involves an association between two events Classical conditioning - Pavlov, 2 types of stimulus Operant conditioning – Skinner, stimulus/response

Insight, imitation, and habituation

Adaptive mating behavior

Sexual selection – adaptive changes to secure a mate

Fitness – ability to produce offspring Female choice – based on genes and

survival or investment for offspring? Male competition –

Cost (competition) benefit (mating) analyses This all applies to Humans too!

Sociobiology and animal behavior

Living in groups has a great reproductive benefit than cost Ad: Avoid predators, rear offspring, find food Disad: access to food, shelter, sickness

Altruism

Altruism – behavior that has potential to decrease reproductive success of altruist to benefit the reproductive success of another. Inclusive fitness – personal reproductive

success and reproductive success of relatives Reciprocal altruism – making a minimal short

term reproductive sacrifice in order to maximize future reproductive potential

Communication

Action by a sender that may influence the behavior of a receiver.

Chemical – pheromones, anytime of day Auditory – fast, night or day, can be modified

(length, pitch…) Language Visual – restricted to daytime Tactile – grooming, waggle dance of bees