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