Transcript Chap. 55 Animal Behavior 2013

Behavioral Biology
Chapter 55
Behavior
• Two types of behavior:
– Learned
– Innate
• Instinctive, does not require learning
2
Innate Behavior
• Response to environmental changes
– Circadian rhythm
– Seasonal responses
3
Innate Behavior
• Communication between animals
– Pheromones
– Visual displays during courtship
– Species recognition calls
4
Innate Behavior
• Social behavior
– Agonistic behavior
– Dominance hierarchies
– Territoriality
– Altruistic behavior
5
Learning
• “Altered behavior as a result of previous
experiences”
• There are four basic kinds of learning:
– Imprinting
– Classical conditioning
– Operant conditioning
– Insight
6
Imprinting
• “A rapid learning
process by which a
newborn or very
young animal
establishes a social
attachment to other
individuals that will
influence behavior
later in life”
7
Classical conditioning
• Also called Pavlovian conditioning
• Two different kinds of stimuli are given.
The animal forms a connection between
them.
8
Operant conditioning
The animal learns to associate its behavior
response with a reward or punishment
– B.F. Skinner and the Skinner box
9
Reinforcement
• In order for an animal to learn,
they need reinforcement.
• There are 3 types:
– Positive
– Negative
– Punishment
Insight
• “The ability to figure
out a behavior that will
create a desired
outcome”.
11
Nature vs Nurture
• Deals with the contribution that heredity
makes to behavior
12