Neuro Pellis 131 - 137

What three factors influence the patterns of structure that emerge in behavior in simulations and robotics?

1. Neural/perceptual rules

2. Body shape/morphology

3. Environmental context

In the cranio-cervical bite example, which factor accounts for most of the variance in behavior?

The neural-based perceptual rule (invariant killing target)

How does the marbled polecat differ from Dasymus marsupials in targeting prey?

The marbled polecat modifies its target or attacks a more accessible target, whereas Dasymus always targets the cranio-cervical area.

True or false: The degree of fixation on the cranio-cervical target depends on the predator's phylogenetic history or body size.

False it varies independently of these factors

In the rat locomotion study with atropine, what causes the switch from lateral gait to diagonal gait?

Postural instability due to body elongation the rat uses the contralateral hind paw to regain stability

What happens to a rat's gait when its body becomes fully elongated during atropine-induced walking?

A long forelimb step creates a large gap between forepaw and ipsilateral hind paw, reducing stability and triggering a switch to diagonal gait.

In humans with a forward stoop (e.g., from basal ganglia damage), why are steps short?

Stepping is triggered to catch the forward-leaning body and maintain postural support, not for forward propulsion

What happens when the same person with a forward stoop is asked to walk backward?

They can make their body erect and take longer strides

In the amphetamine/apomorphine rat study, how does the environment change the expressed behavior?

• Large open field → straight-line walking

• Narrow cage → rearing

• Narrow cage with wire mesh → gnawing

What is Gibson's (1977) concept of "affordance"?

The environment actively interacts with an animal to make behavior possible it "affords" the behavior

According to the authors, should researchers assume equal contribution from brain, body, and environment in every case?

No they should dissect the relative contribution of each factor, as they vary case by case

In the Cape Barren goose courtship example, why does the male appear to circle the female?

The circling is a byproduct of the female's evasive action (pivoting) as the male tracks her tail not an intrinsic behavior pattern.

What is the key difference between the Cape Barren goose and the Australian magpie in maneuvering?

The goose is limited to two dimensions (horizontal); the magpie can maneuver in three dimensions (using hops and wing flaps)

In the waldrapp (ibis) courtship, what two perceptual rules are needed to explain circling?

1. Maintain a constant interanimal distance

2. Change interanimal body configuration (homeokinetic relationship)

What is the difference between a homeostatic relationship and a homeokinetic relationship in behavior?

• Homeostatic: constant relationship (e.g., goose beak to rump)

• Homeokinetic: constant changing relationship (e.g., waldrapp body to female)

Why does labeling regularities as "behavior patterns" risk being misleading?

The label masks the underlying process (neural rules + body + environment) that created the regularity.

What two anomalies about head scratching are mentioned in the text?

1. Birds have two scratching methods (over-wing and under-wing).

2. The under-wing scratch in birds may represent a new motor pattern.

In the rat gait study, what role does body morphology play in dictating behavior?

Body elongation creates postural instability, which triggers the switch from one gait pattern to another not just shapes it.

What is the main methodological recommendation the authors give for studying behavior?

Do not assume dominance of any one factor (brain, body, environment); analytically dissect their relative contributions in each case