Understanding Behavior and Ethology Concepts

Aug 14, 2024

Lecture on Behavior and Ethology

Introduction

  • Focus: Origins of behavior, genetic and environmental components
  • New Focus: Function of behavior
    • Behavior as a homeostatic mechanism
    • Ethology: Study of animal behavior in natural environments

Homeostasis and Behavior

  • Homeostasis: Maintenance of constant internal condition
  • Behavior: Coordinated internal and external response to environments
    • Function: Adaptation

Ethology

  • Functional study of behavior, particularly in natural environments
  • Observable behaviors: Overt behaviors

Categories of Behavior

  1. Innate Behavior

    • Genetically programmed, DNA-encoded
    • Characteristics:
      • Inherited
      • Intrinsic (present even in isolation)
      • Stereotypic (performed the same way each time)
      • Inflexible (not modified by experience)
      • Consummate (fully developed at first performance)
    • Examples:
      • Reflexes
      • Orientation behaviors
      • Fixed action patterns

  2. Learned Behavior

    • Persistent changes from experiences
    • Characteristics:
      • Non-inherited
      • Extrinsic (absent in isolation-raised animals)
      • Permutable (changeable)
      • Adaptable
      • Progressive (improvable through practice)
    • Includes concepts like habituation, conditioning, and imprinting

  3. Complex Behavior

    • Combination of innate and learned behaviors
    • Example: Insect flight, starts innate, improved through learning

Adaptive Role of Behavior

  • Behavior aids in maintaining homeostasis
  • Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to adaptive behaviors
  • Most behavior fits along a spectrum between innate and learned

Key Examples in Lecture

  • Nausea in Pregnancy: An innate behavior with potential adaptive evolutionary role.
  • Reflexes: Knee-jerk reflex as a classic example.
  • Orientation Behaviors:
    • Kinesis (change in speed or turning rate)
    • Taxis (movement toward or away from stimulus, e.g., moths to light)
  • Fixed Action Patterns: Coordinated movement sequences, e.g., praying mantis strike.

Conclusion

  • Behavior is largely adaptive, aiming for homeostasis
  • Genes and environment both play crucial roles in shaping behavior