Genetic Contribution of Motivated Behavior Chapter 2 Genetic Contribution of Motivated Behavior

What are Instincts Genetically motivated behaviors Requires no learning Genetically programmed behavior

Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipq7mZC5rIM

Nominal Fallacy Blindly naming something as instincts We need to understand the conditions in which behavior occurs Instinctual Behaviors need to be separated from learned behaviots

Early Theories William James Behaviors occurs automatically without the knowledge of goals Instinctual Behavior changes with experience There are two principles of instincts Habit (inhibits behavior) Instincts can be transitory (learning might inhibit instincts)

Early Theories Rivalry, sympathy, hunting, jealousy, curiosity, shyness, modesty, fear Problems unclear how to distinguish between reflex, instincts and behavior REFLEX INSTINCTS BEHAVIOR

Early Theories William Mc Dougal Instincts consists of 3 components Cognitive (knowledge of the object) Affective (emotions aroused by the object) Conative (moving towards or away the goals: purposive striving) Examples: parental care, sympathy, curiosity, gregariousness, appeal

Early Theories Instincts can be altered in four ways Instincts may be activated not only by specific external object but by the “idea” of the object e.g. pets Instinctive Behaviors can be modified e.g. (curiosity) cats exploring Several Instincts could be triggered simultaneously (teenagers; mating and curiosity; expecting child : having offspring, parental and nurturing) May be Organized around a particular object and idea (assertive at work submissive at home and vice versa)

Early Theories Anthropomorphism Attribution of human characteristics to objects and animals Imagining one’s feeling when putting oneself in others situations (e.g. cat feeling embarrassed) Did not distinguish between learning and instinct

Problems No agreement regarding how many types of instincts are there Not all instincts are innate No clear criteria for determining which behaviors are instinctive and which are not Instincts are not the only motives underlying behaviors

Classical Ethology Ethology is a branch of biology that is concerned with evolution, development and function of behavior Ethological Terms Key Stimuli: Environmental stimuli Fixed Action Patterns: Response of Key Stimuli

Key Stimuli Key Stimuli are simple stimuli or environmental stimuli (e.g. blue feathers of peacock) Normal key stimuli sometimes may not be optimal stimuli for reliasing a behavior Supernormal key stimuli might be more effective

Fixed Response Patterns The response that key stimuli releases is called fixed response pattern Depends on key stimulus is not dependent on learning Hardwired into nervous system Four Features: Stereotyped Independent of external control Spontaneous Independent of learning

Classical Ethology Intention Movements and Social Releasers Energy is beginning to accumulate Ritualization Motivational Conflict Successive ambivalent behavior (attack and escape) Simultaneous ambivalent behavior Redirected behavior: displacement Ethological displacement (two motives are strong but cancel out each other)

Class Activity Watch the video Identify Conflict http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FUmapkqPn0

Classical Ethology Reaction Chains Imprinting Behavior involves sequence of responses Imprinting Socializing process where young organism forms an attachment Features of Imprinting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihh1xBXwt_0 Occurs at a critical period Permanent and irreversible Independent from reward

Criticisms of Classical Ethology Distinction between learned and instinctive behavior is not clear Energy Concept Displacement and vaccum activity indicates build up (classics) These can be explained by hierarchy of responses indicating which one is most probable

Some Modifications to the Basic Ideas of Ethology Human Ethology Facial Expressions Smiling, laughing, weeping and frowning are universal Shyness Children have lower threshold of arousability Need environmental stressor

Some Modifications to the Basic Ideas of Ethology Additional Innate Behaviors Childlike features in adult behaviors more prosocial Other e.g.s hair flipping, baby talk etc.. Staring Threat Gesture Depressed patients show lower eye contact Speech Sensitive period for learning

Ethological Concepts Concerning Sex and Aggression Aggression in forms of attach, mobbing Interspecific Intraspecific: spreads out members more evenly, stronger animals have best territories, protection of the young Genetic mutation leads to the probability of increased aggression In humans relationship with aggression to sexuality is less clear than in animals

Modern Ethological Approaches Behavioral Ecology Study of learned behaviors but partially innate (like parental care)and the environment in which they occur Cognitive Ethology Interpretation of information and how it influences thoughts and actions Evolutionary Psychology Study of adaptive behaviors that promote survival