Chapter 15: Animal Behavior

ethology

study of animal behaviors

innate behaviors types

instincts, reflexes, fixed action patterns, imprinting

types of reflexes

simple, complex

how do simple reflexes work

rapid, sensory neuron travel from stimulus to spinal cord (CNS) and synapse directly onto motor neurons to muscle

how do complex reflexes work

slowerm sensory and motor neurons separated by interneuron, has connection to brain

fixed action patterns of innate behaviors

instinct type, hardwired actions initiated by a releaser and continue to completion even if stimulus is removed

fixed action patterns of innate behaviors purpose

predictable, appropriate behaviors that don’t need to be learned, not flexible/adaptable

when does imprinting of innate behaviors occur

critical period/imprinting stage

learned behaviors types

classical/operant conditioning, associative/non-associative learning

associative learning of learned behaviors features

increases stimulus response efficiency, can be forgotten with extinction or remembered by recovery

types of non-associative learning

sensitization, habituation

sensitization of non-associative learning

as stimulus occurs more often, behavioral response increases

habituation of non-associative learning

decreasing behavioral response in response to repetitive meaningless stimulus

animal movements types

kinesis, taxis, migration

types of taxis

phototaxis, chemotaxis

pheromones

chemical signals released to communicate

social behavior types

cooperation, agonistic behaviors, dominance hierarchy, territoriality, altruistic behaviors

appeasement behavior of agonistic behaviors

submit, avoid aggression, prevent injuries

altruistic behaviors

sacrifices made for relatives

direct inclusive fitness

sum of genes animal passes on

indirect inclusive fitness

sum of genes passed on by relatives

kin selection

use altruism to help relatives survive, increases inclusive fitness

sexual selection

how genders differ in mating behavior to maximize fitness

female’s sexual selection

select high quality mates to produce quality offspring

male’s sexual selection

produce high quantity of offspring

female choice

increases attractive traits in males

sexual dimorphism

genders of same species look different

semelparity

mate one in lifetime

semelparity features

multiple offspring, low survival, harash conditions, no parental care

iteroparity

mate many times in life

iteroparity features

one offspring, high survival, dependable environment, parental care