Animal Behavior Chapter 34 /

What is a behavior? Any response to a stimulus (an external signal) Examples of stimuli Sounds Smells Sights (light vs dark)

Why do behaviors exist? Most behaviors have some evolutionary history (the behavior aided survival) Can you think of any examples of behaviors that might have helped our ancestors survive?

Two Types of Behavior Innate – behavior you are born with, also called INSTINCTS Learned – behavior that develops through experience

Some human instincts…. Grasping reflex Holding breath when submerged Pupil dilation

Even very young babies can learn to swim

Learned Behaviors 1. Habituation 2. Classical Conditioning 3. Operant Conditioning 4. Insight Learning

HABITUATION When your body becomes accustomed to a stimulus. Ex.: Some animals respond to loud noises by hiding. If the noises are repeated, the animal stops hiding.

Baby toys are designed to stimulate their brains. Babies learn by "trial and error"

Classical Conditioning Pairing two stimuli together, response becomes the same Pavlov's Dogs - ring a bell when feeding dogs. Eventually, the dogs would salivate when they heard the bell ring.

OPERANT CONDITIONING Involves "training" a behavior using a reward or punishment system. Examples: Rat gets treat when it hits a lever Rat gets shocked when it climbs a structure Dog gets treat when it sits on command

The Skinner Box used to train rats

Insight Learning Involves using the brain to develop solutions to problems never before encountered. This is not "trial-and-error." The animal (or human) must build on prior experiences to solve a problem Have you ever noticed that when a dog tied outside gets tangled in its leash, he can't figure out how to get untangled

What is the advantage of being helpful?

Imprinting Many kinds of animals innately do not recognize members of its species. Early in life they learn the distinction. It is irreversible.

Internal and External Influences Some animals undergo hibernation or estivation because of a weather change.

Dominance Hierarchies Aggressive behavior in animals leads to dominant and submissive animals. This an innate behavior

Chimp vs Human vs Dog

BEHAVIORAL CYCLES *Animals respond to periodic changes in environment - daily or seasonal cycles 1. Migration (movement during a season) 2. Circadian rhythms (sleep & wake)

Christmas Crab Migration

COURTSHIP Sounds, visual displays or chemicals used to attract a mate

Bird of Paradise Dance

Bower Bird Courtship

Social Behavior Animals live in a "society" that has its own rules and structure - Chimpanzee troops - Insect colonies - Wolf/Dog Packs - Human Societies

COMPETITION Occurs between animals, usually for resources (space, water, food) TERRITORY - space protected by an animal

AGGRESSION - threatening behavior What queues does this dog give that does not want Cesar to approach?

COMMUNICATION - passing information, can be visual, sounds or chemicals

LANGUAGE - using symbols to represent objects and even ideas * Only humans are capable of true language Apes can learn symbols, but not abstract ideas, like... Freedom, Love, Obsession, Courage, Morality

Alex the parrot Alex

Chimps with mirrors