AH Biology - Unit 2 - KA1(e) - Measuring and Recording Animal Behaviour

What is ethology?

Ethology is the study of animal behaviour.

What are the three crucial measurements used to quantify animal behaviours?

The three crucial measurements used to quantify animal behaviours are:

• Latency - The time between a stimulus occurring and the animals response behaviour.

• Frequency - The number of times a behaviour occurs within the observation period.

• Duration - The length of time each behaviour occurs during the observation period.

In the context of animal behaviour, what is latency?

In the context of animal behaviour, latency is the time between a stimulus occurring and the animals response behaviour.

In the context of animal behaviour, what is frequency?

In the context of animal behaviour, frequency is the number of times a behaviour occurs within the observation period.

In the context of animal behaviour, what is duration?

In the context of animal behaviour, duration is the length of time each behaviour occurs during the observation period.

What is an ethogram?

An ethogram is a table of species specific behaviour observed and recorded during the study period.

What can be done with the data recorded using an ethogram?

With the data recorded using an ethogram, the total duration of each of the behaviours can be calculated and from it, the proportion of time spent on each of these behaviours can be calculated to produce a time budget.

What must the behaviours be when describing behaviours?

When describing behaviours, they must be clear and unambiguous, so that a different observer could use your descriptions to repeat the investigation.

What must you avoid when recording animal behaviour?

When recording animal behaviour, you must avoid anthropomorphism. This is when human qualities, feelings, or emotions are credited to animals. They are not clear and must be avoided.