Animal Behaviour and Welfare: Motivation, Learning & Enrichment

What are the classical ethological questions related to animal behaviour?

Causation, development, function, and evolution.

What is the difference between 'events' and 'states' in behaviour patterns?

Events are short duration behaviours, while states are long duration behaviours.

what is are some examples of ethogram of indoor housed pigs

lie on side, root nudge or lift substate with the top of rooting disc, drink, eat

What is an example of an event behaviour?

Aggressive interaction.

What is an example of a state behaviour?

Sleeping.

What is a reflex in the context of animal behaviour?

A consistent, predictable, involuntary response to a specific stimulus.

What characterizes a fixed action pattern?

An instinctive behaviour that is a consistent response to a specific stimulus.

What is motivation in animal behaviour?

The factors that determine which behaviour an animal exhibits.

What does Lorenz's Hydraulic model describe about motivation?

motivational energy accumulates and triggers behavior when a threshold is reached.

What happens to motivation after a behaviour is performed?

Motivation is reduced by the performance of the behaviour itself.

What is a homeostatic model in relation to motivation?

It compares the actual state of an animal's needs with an ideal state to guide behaviour.

What are vacuum activities in animals?

Highly motivated behaviours that occur in the absence of appropriate external stimuli.

How can understanding motivation help in assessing animal welfare?

It allows predictions about when welfare may be compromised.

What is environmental enrichment?

Enhancements to an animal's environment that improve welfare.

What role does social behaviour play in animal welfare?

It impacts health and welfare through interactions with other animals and humans.

What is the significance of abnormal behaviour in relation to welfare?

It can indicate compromised welfare and the need for intervention.

What is the impact of human-animal interactions on animal welfare?

They can significantly affect the health and well-being of animals.

what is the consumer demand study when it pertains to animals?

how much work (time and energy) will an animal attempt to quantify motivation.

what is inelastic demand in the consumer demand theory?

as cost increases, we are willing to pay more and more, such as food

what is elastic demand in the consumer demand theory?

as cost increases, the demand steadily falls, less willing to pay more for it. such as social contact

What are the key elements of animal welfare legislation?

They relate to the ethical treatment and care of animals.

What does the term 'abnormal behaviour' refer to?

Behaviours that deviate from the normal patterns and may indicate welfare issues.

What are preference tests in animal behavior?

Tests that determine what an animal wants by offering two or more variants of a single external variable.

What is measured in preference tests?

Time spent with each option or the number of times each option is chosen.

What complicates the interpretation of preference tests?

They only indicate relative preferences and do not account for whether options are provided.

What is the difference between short-term and long-term preferences?

Short-term preferences may outweigh long-term preferences, affecting choices that do not always align with long-term wellbeing.

What are precocial and altricial young animals?

Precocial are well-developed at birth (e.g., domestic chicks), while altricial are helpless (e.g., sparrow chicks).

What is habituation in learning?

A decrease in an innate response caused by repeated presentations of the same stimulus.

What is sensitization in learning?

Increased responsiveness following a reward or punishment, leading to heightened reactions to new stimuli.

What is classical associative conditioning?

A type of associative learning where an animal learns to associate two external events over which it has no control. such as dog salivating when a bell is rung

What is instrumental conditioning?

A type of associative learning where an animal learns the association between behavior and its consequences.

What is the significance of Pavlov's dogs in classical conditioning?

They demonstrated how an animal can learn to associate a bell with food, leading to salivation.

What are the two explanations for the association mechanism in classical conditioning?

1. Cognitive explanation: the bell is associated with the idea of food. 2. Behaviorist explanation: the animal reacts to the bell as it would to food.

What does expectation and frustration indicate in animal behavior?

It suggests that animals have some representation of expected rewards, as they show frustration when expectations are not met.

What is the primary learning method in instrumental conditioning?

Trial and error learning.

What is a Skinner box used for?

To study operant conditioning, such as rats pressing levers for food pellets.

What occurs during extinction in learning?

A behavior stops being reinforced, leading to a gradual cessation of that behavior.

What is a common initial reaction when extinction occurs?

A burst of activity before the animal gradually stops responding.

What is the role of timing in learning?

Associations are more easily formed when events occur close together in time.

How does the strength of a reinforcer affect learning?

A larger reinforcer leads to easier formation of associations compared to a smaller one.

What is the significance of associative learning in animal training?

It is a powerful tool for modifying animal behavior and informs how animals adapt to environments.

What does animal cognition refer to?

The mechanisms by which animals acquire, process, store, and act on information from their environment.

What is object permanence?

The awareness that objects continue to exist even when they are no longer visible.

What is reasoning in the context of animal cognition?

Mental calculation and problem solving.

What are stereotypies?

Relatively invariant movement patterns that have no obvious goal or function.

What is an example of stereotypic behavior?

Bar-biting, rocking, swaying, or pacing.

What factors can lead to the development of stereotypies in animals?

Aversive environments, confinement, low stimulation, and unavoidable stress.

What are some techniques for environmental enrichment?

Physical enrichment, toys, food-based enrichment, cognitive enrichment, sensory enrichment, and social enrichment.

How does social enrichment benefit animals?

By allowing appropriate social interactions such as grooming, playing, and aggression.

What is the relationship between abnormal behavior and welfare in animals?

Abnormal behaviors often indicate a welfare problem, especially when they are repetitive.

What does the term 'anomalous reactivity' refer to?

A type of abnormal behavior characterized by unusual responses to stimuli.

What is redirected behavior?

Behavior that is directed towards an inappropriate target due to frustration or conflict.

What is the significance of studying animal cognition?

It provides insights into the cognitive abilities of animals and their learning processes.

What is the impact of confinement on animal behavior?

Confinement can lead to increased stereotypic behaviors and reduced welfare.

How can preference tests be used in animal behavior studies?

To rank the importance of resources as perceived by animals.

What is the role of motivation in animal behavior?

Motivation influences behavioral responses and is crucial for understanding complex behaviors.

What is the significance of cognitive enrichment?

It promotes mental stimulation through activities like puzzle feeders and public interaction.

What is the evolutionary perspective on animal behavior?

Behavioral adaptations are shaped by evolutionary pressures to enhance survival and reproduction.

What is the relationship between stereotypies and natural behavior?

Stereotypies may mimic sensory feedback from natural behaviors, serving as coping mechanisms.