Animal Behavior

Behavior = is anything an animal does in response to a stimulus  All behaviors have an adaptive value, meaning they increase the chance of survival

Innate Behaviors (aka inherited behaviors) = behaviors that are genetically programmed Reflex - a simple automatic response that involves no conscious control Can be beneficial in the fight or flight response Is controlled by hormones

Innate Behaviors Instinct - is a complex pattern of behavior (takes more time than reflex)

Innate Behaviors Courtship behavior – carried out before the male and female mate. Allows for recognition of the same species

Innate Behaviors Territoriality - the defense of a physical space Reduces conflict, competition, and population growth

Innate Behaviors pheromones are used to “mark” a territory

Innate Behaviors Aggressive behavior – is the means by which an animal defends its territory

Innate Behaviors Dominance hierarchy - is a form of social ranking within a group Forming a hierarchy is innate, but individuals must learn their position

Innate Behaviors Circadian rhythm - behavior based on a 24 hour cycle

Innate Behaviors Migration - behavior that occurs seasonally or yearly, stimulated by changes in day length Navigation results from the learned behavior of geographical cues

Innate Behaviors Hibernation - reduced metabolism during very cold temperature change

Innate Behaviors Estivation - reduced metabolism during very hot temperature change

Learned Behaviors = behaviors that are modified through practice or experience Habituation - not responding to a repeated stimulus

Learned Behaviors Imprinting - forming a social attachment during a critical period

Learned Behaviors Operant conditioning (aka trial and error) – learning that results from receiving a reward/punishment for a particular response This can be related to motivation, an internal need that causes action.

Learned Behaviors Classical conditioning – learning to respond to a stimulus that would not normally produce that response

Pavlov’s Dog

Learned Behaviors Insight - learning where an organism uses prior experience in order to respond to a new situation