Biology 441: Animal Behavior

Introductions Notecards

Course Mechanics Syllabus; expectations

Content: What is Ethology?

Introduction to Animal Behavior

Semantics Ethology vs. Animal Behavior vs. Behavioral Ecology

Introduction to Animal Behavior

What is Ethology? Ethos = habit

Introduction to Animal Behavior

What is Ethology? Def. The biological study of animal behavior

Introduction to Animal Behavior

What is Ethology? Def. The biological study of animal behavior Better def. The study of animal behavior using the

scientific method

Introduction to Animal Behavior

What is animal behavior?

Introduction to Animal Behavior

What is animal behavior? All observable or otherwise measurable muscular or

secretory responses (or lack thereof) in response to changes in an animals internal or external environment

Introduction to Animal Behavior

What is animal behavior? All observable or otherwise measurable muscular or

secretory responses (or lack thereof) in response to changes in an animals internal or external environment

AKA WHAT ANIMALS DO

Introduction to Animal Behavior

What is animal behavior? A more poetic answer:

“The study of behavior encompasses all of the movements and sensations by which animals and men mediate their relationship with their external environments -- physical, biotic and social. No scientific field is more complex, and none is more central to human problems and aspirations.”

[Alexander 1975:77]

Introduction to Animal Behavior

Why study behavior?

Introduction to Animal Behavior

Why study behavior? Animals = good models for understanding ourselves

Behavior, neurobiology Animal conservation, endangered species Practical: farm animals, pest species control, disease

prevention, pets Management of animals in captivity Curiosity!

Introduction to Animal Behavior

Are we all amateur behaviorists?

Introduction to Animal Behavior

Quote from pet counselor in Ohio: “It’s wonderful — anyone can be a behaviorist — no

degree or formal training is necessary. I just do it.”

Introduction to Animal Behavior

The problem with amateur behaviorists… Perceptual bias Anthropomorphism

Bias & Behavior

Humans often see what we expect to see

QuickTime™ and aH.263 decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Our minds contain a model of the universe. Our experience (e.g., vision) is allowed to update it, but only in certain ways.We can’t avoid it — we are born with a model already in place!

Why do we make this mistake?

Bias & Behavior

Humans often see what we expect to see Aristotle and teeth

See pattern where no pattern exists Human anthropomorphize

Ascribe human characteristics to things not human Attribute conscious thought to animals too quickly

e.g. Wilhelm Von-Osten and “Clever Hans”

Introduction to Animal Behavior

What makes a professional behaviorist? Proper use of the scientific method

Introduction to Animal Behavior

Scientific Method (review) 1.

Introduction to Animal Behavior

Scientific Method (review) 1. Observations 2.

Introduction to Animal Behavior

Scientific Method (review) 1. Observations 2. Questions

Introduction to Animal Behavior

Scientific Method (review) 1. Observations 2. Questions 3. Hypotheses 4.

Introduction to Animal Behavior

Scientific Method (review) 1. Observations 2. Questions 3. Hypotheses 4. Tests (experiments) 5.

Introduction to Animal Behavior

Scientific Method (review) 1. Observations 2. Questions 3. Hypotheses 4. Tests (experiments) 5. Interpretation

Hypothesis supported or refuted? Alternative hypotheses?

Introduction to Animal Behavior

The problem with professional behaviorists… Perceptual bias still possible

The Mask of Theory and the Face of Nature “Rarely does it become possible for the scientist to step

back, examine the social preconditions that have led to the construction of the mask of theory, and ask: Why have I interpreted the natural world the way I have? What elements of my culture made one interpretation obvious and believable, but not another?”

Amateur Video

“Battle at Kruger” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM