Animal Behavior L2

Ethology

biological study of behavior

Observational Approach

Observing only

risk of assuming causation where there’s none

Experimental Approach

Controlled experiments

can manipulate features

Comparative Approach

evolutionary approach

How to describe behavior

be object, no assumptions

What to consider when measuring behavior

Presence

Frequency

Duration

Intensity

Timing

Latency

Ethogram

List and description of the types of behaviors performed by particular individuals in a particular environment

“state”

long duration with start and stop

“event”

short duration with less clear start and stop

Ad Libitum Recording

Writing down any behavior you feel is relevant

Behavior based

Ad Libitum Recording ±

+ Great for early stages

- not great for actual dataC

Conspicuous / Continuous Recording

Continuous Observation but only recording certain kinds you’ve determined

Behavior Based

Conspicuous / Continuous Recording ±

+ Used for rare behaviors

- Miss other behavior deemed important

Point / Instantaneous / Scan Sampling

Observing a predetermined points for a behavior of interest

Time-Based

Point / Instantaneous / Scan Sampling ±

+ Can be done with 1 person & many animals

- Miss rate events

- trouble recognizing certain behaviors that take a time to be certain of

Period Occurrence / One Zero Sampling

Observed within a set period (yes or no) 1 = occurred. 0 = not occurred

Time Based

Period Occurrence / One Zero Sampling ±

+ Don’t miss rare events

- don’t get an accurate representation of duration of behavior