Animal Behavior pt 3

innate behavior

• mostly genetic

• instinctual, no prior experience

• essential for survival

learned behavior

• mostly environment

• acquired

• repetition important

are most behaviors innate or learned?

most behaviors fall between the spectrum because they are influenced by both genes and environmental factors

what physiological factors affect behavior?

• the brain & neurotransmitters

• hormones

___changes behavior

physiology

____changes physiology

behavior

coping styles

• constant behavioral and neuroendocrine characteristics to stressors

• active responses and passive responses

active responses

• territorial control and aggression (type A)

• proactive coping

passive responses

• characterized by conservation (withdrawal) (type B)

• reactive coping

cortisol levels during proactive vs reactive coping

• proactive: low

• active: high

how do external and internal factors relate to one another?

• external factors (stimuli) affect internal factors (hormones)

• ex. mother smelling young causes decrease in progesterone and increase in estrogen and oxytocin

organizational effects of hormones

• actions conserved evolutionarily

• appear across wide range of taxa

• ex. oxytocin, insulin

activational effects of hormones

• fast-acting, temporary changes in behavior

• ex. epinephrine (fight or flight response)

neurotransmitters

• messengers of nervous system

• ex. acetylcholine

what are behaviors strongly influenced by?

• neural reward systems

• actions depend on whether they result in pleasurable or negative sensation

acetycholine

• NT used in motor division of somatic nervous system (voluntary control)

• ex. myasthenia in dogs

motivational neurotransmitters

• dopamine

• endorphins

dopamine

• responsible for wanting and craving

• can increase production of endorphins

endorphins

• play role in initial rush of pleasure

• stimulate dopamine release

epinephrine and norepinephrine

• neurotransmitters and hormones

• critical to function of sympathetic nervous system

• fight or flight response

• maintenance of homeostasis

feel good neurotransmitters

• GABA

• serotonin

GABA

• reduces neuronal excitability

• reduces anxiety, calming, helps sleep

serotonin

important for positive mood, social behavior, appetite and digestion, etc.