Biology Day 1

Gambling Behavior

• Introduction to gambling behavior with memory questions to gauge understanding and direction.

Understanding Behavior Components

• Innate Behavior:

  • Genetic predisposition unique to each individual.

  • Provides the foundation for behaviors.

• Learned Behavior:

  • Influenced by life experiences and interactions with the environment.

  • Combination of innate and learned results in individual behavior.

• Cloning Example:

  • Cloning replicates DNA but fails to replicate learned behaviors.

  • Cloned animals may exhibit significantly different behaviors compared to their original counterparts.

Natural Selection and Behavioral Adaptation

• Importance of natural selection:

  • Genotypes and phenotypes interact with the environment.

  • Species' survival depends on their ability to adapt to environmental challenges.

Motor Programs and Fixed Action Patterns

• Fixed action patterns: automatic, stereotyped behaviors triggered by specific stimuli.

  • Example: Graylag goose rolling an egg back into the nest as a motor program.

  • If a hook is used to manipulate the egg, the goose completes the action as if nothing changed.

Aggression and Sign Stimuli

• Aggressive behaviors in animals can be triggered by specific cues or releasers.

  • Study of fish aggression demonstrated that color was more significant than shape in stimulating aggressive responses.

Brood Parasitism

• Concept of Brood Parasitism:

  • Cuckoo birds lay eggs in other birds' nests to manipulate parental care.

  • Successful parasitism often hinges on matching egg color with host species.

  • Parents end up feeding the more aggressive cuckoo chick at the expense of their own young.

Environmental Interactions and Movement

• All animals, including humans, respond to environmental stimuli based on innate and learned behaviors.

  • Ant examples:

    • Ground wasps demonstrate innate nesting behavior (digging) and learned behavior (identifying nest locations).

Habituation

• Definition of Habituation:

  • A process where an animal learns to ignore a stimulus after repeated exposure to it.

  • Example of habituation with noisy fireworks; may disregard similar sounds if previously experienced without harm.

  • Risks include misinterpreting dangerous situations as safe due to habituation.

Imprinting

• Imprinting: a crucial learning process during a critical period in early life.

  • Individuals recognize and respond to specific caregivers or stimuli.

  • Example from filmmaking with cranes illustrates imprinting on specific models.

Classical Conditioning and Reinforcement

• Classic conditioning pairs an unrelated stimulus with a natural response.

  • Associative learning example: ringing a bell leads a dog to salivate when food is presented.

  • Applies to reinforcement in learning behavior—positive reinforcers increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Problem Solving and Experience

• Problem-solving involves utilizing past experience to navigate new challenges effectively.

  • Reliance on previous knowledge aids in making informed decisions.

  • Example of assembly reflects gender stereotypes in methods of problem-solving.

Behavior Patterns Based on Timing

• Animals display different activity patterns based on the time of day (diurnal vs. nocturnal).

  • Certain species thrive during specific conditions, affecting their behavior and interactions.