Lecture 5 - Learning, Cognition, and Applied Animal Behavior

Learning:

Learning:

A relatively permanent change of behavior due to experience, which allows for adaptation

Did learning evolve due to a fixed or dynamic world?

Neither - It evolved due to a mix in both, which is why learning is adaptive

What two factors affect the evolution of learning?

1. Regularity of the environment

2. Reliability of past experience

Does environmental regularity increase or decrease learning?

Decrease

Do reliable experiences increase or decrease learning?

Increase

Habituation:

Reduction then lack of response to stimulus over time

Why is habituation important?

Allows us to focus on more important stimuli

“Dear Enemy” Hypothesis:

Territorial animals are more aggressive to unfamiliar neighbors instead of their own territorial neighbors

Why are territorial animals more aggressive to unfamiliar neighbors?

1. Strangers are potential new competitors

2. Neighbors have already established territory

3. Constantly being aggressive to established neighbors = too much energy

Filial imprinting:

Offspring learn phenotype and identity of parents because they are the first thing they encounter

How is imprinting used to help with migration?

Endangered birds imprint on humans, who teach them new migratory routes that are less dangerous

Classical (Pavlovian) Conditioning:

The process of linking a neutral stimulus with an unconditional stimulus associated with an innate response. Neutral stimulus then causes the innate response

Does classical conditioning affect fitness?

Yes, helps individuals create new associations that are beneficial for survival

Operant Conditioning:

Associating behaviors with a consequence

Which scientist developed the Learning Curve using experiments on honey bees?

Charles Turner

Which scientist developed the Law of Effect?

Edward Thorndike

Law of Effect:

Behaviors that create good consequences tend to be repeated

Which scientist created a box that measures the rate of behaviors in lab animals?

B.F. Skinner

Positive Reinforcement:

Behavior increases because it is associated with addition of desired stimulus

Negative Reinforcement:

Behavior increases because it is associated with the removal of negative stimulus

Positive Punishment:

Behavior decreases because it is associated with addition of bad stimulus

Negative Punishment:

Behavior decreases because it is associated with removal of desired stimulus

Cognition:

Ability to generate/store representations of physical + social environments

Motivates behavior

Insight learning:

Spontaneous problem-solving without trial and error

Is insight learning associated with cognition or trial and error learning?

Cognition

Local Enhancement:

Individual uses presence of others as a cue to prompt focus

Public Information:

Activity/performance of others indicates quality of a resource

What type of learning creates behavioral traditions?

Social learning

Behavioral Traditions:

Differences in behavior among populations that are transmitted socially

Animal Culture:

Differences in multiple traditions among populations

Why is learning about animal behavior beneficial?

1. Improves the welfare of animals

2. Better understanding improves our lives

3. Applies to animals in all environments - wild, captivity, and laboratories