1. Genetic Contribution of Motivated Behavior
Chapter 2
Genetic Contribution of Motivated Behavior

2. What are Instincts Genetically motivated behaviors
Requires no learning
Genetically programmed behavior

3. Video

4. Nominal Fallacy Blindly naming something as instincts
We need to understand the conditions in which behavior occurs
Instinctual Behaviors need to be separated from learned behaviots

5. Early Theories William James
Behaviors occurs automatically without the knowledge of goals
Instinctual Behavior changes with experience
There are two principles of instincts
Habit (inhibits behavior)
Instincts can be transitory (learning might inhibit instincts)

6. Early Theories
Rivalry, sympathy, hunting, jealousy, curiosity, shyness, modesty, fear
Problems unclear how to distinguish between reflex, instincts and behavior
REFLEX
INSTINCTS
BEHAVIOR

7. Early Theories William Mc Dougal Instincts consists of 3 components
Cognitive (knowledge of the object)
Affective (emotions aroused by the object)
Conative (moving towards or away the goals: purposive striving)
Examples: parental care, sympathy, curiosity, gregariousness, appeal

8. Early Theories Instincts can be altered in four ways
Instincts may be activated not only by specific external object but by the “idea” of the object e.g. pets
Instinctive Behaviors can be modified e.g. (curiosity) cats exploring
Several Instincts could be triggered simultaneously (teenagers; mating and curiosity; expecting child : having offspring, parental and nurturing)
May be Organized around a particular object and idea (assertive at work submissive at home and vice versa)

9. Early Theories Anthropomorphism
Attribution of human characteristics to objects and animals
Imagining one’s feeling when putting oneself in others situations (e.g. cat feeling embarrassed)
Did not distinguish between learning and instinct

10. Problems No agreement regarding how many types of instincts are there
Not all instincts are innate
No clear criteria for determining which behaviors are instinctive and which are not
Instincts are not the only motives underlying behaviors

11. Classical Ethology
Ethology is a branch of biology that is concerned with evolution, development and function of behavior
Ethological Terms
Key Stimuli: Environmental stimuli
Fixed Action Patterns: Response of Key Stimuli

12. Key Stimuli
Key Stimuli are simple stimuli or environmental stimuli (e.g. blue feathers of peacock)
Normal key stimuli sometimes may not be optimal stimuli for reliasing a behavior
Supernormal key stimuli might be more effective

13. Fixed Response Patterns
The response that key stimuli releases is called fixed response pattern
Depends on key stimulus is not dependent on learning
Hardwired into nervous system
Four Features:
Stereotyped
Independent of external control
Spontaneous
Independent of learning

14. Classical Ethology Intention Movements and Social Releasers
Energy is beginning to accumulate
Ritualization
Motivational Conflict
Successive ambivalent behavior (attack and escape)
Simultaneous ambivalent behavior
Redirected behavior: displacement
Ethological displacement (two motives are strong but cancel out each other)

15. Class Activity Watch the video Identify Conflict

16. Classical Ethology Reaction Chains Imprinting
Behavior involves sequence of responses
Imprinting
Socializing process where young organism forms an attachment
Features of Imprinting
Occurs at a critical period
Permanent and irreversible
Independent from reward

17. Criticisms of Classical Ethology
Distinction between learned and instinctive behavior is not clear
Energy Concept
Displacement and vaccum activity indicates build up (classics)
These can be explained by hierarchy of responses indicating which one is most probable

18. Some Modifications to the Basic Ideas of Ethology
Human Ethology
Facial Expressions
Smiling, laughing, weeping and frowning are universal
Shyness
Children have lower threshold of arousability
Need environmental stressor

19. Some Modifications to the Basic Ideas of Ethology
Additional Innate Behaviors
Childlike features in adult behaviors more prosocial
Other e.g.s hair flipping, baby talk etc..
Staring
Threat Gesture
Depressed patients show lower eye contact
Speech
Sensitive period for learning

20. Ethological Concepts Concerning Sex and Aggression
Aggression in forms of attach, mobbing
Interspecific
Intraspecific: spreads out members more evenly, stronger animals have best territories, protection of the young
Genetic mutation leads to the probability of increased aggression
In humans relationship with aggression to sexuality is less clear than in animals

21. Modern Ethological Approaches
Behavioral Ecology
Study of learned behaviors but partially innate (like parental care)and the environment in which they occur
Cognitive Ethology
Interpretation of information and how it influences thoughts and actions
Evolutionary Psychology
Study of adaptive behaviors that promote survival