Animal Behavior

Chapter 5.1

What is Behavior?A. Why do animals behave as they do?1. They are looking for food, avoiding predators and finding a mate.B. Behavior = all of the

Actions an animal performs.

Why is behavior important?

1. A stimulus is a signal that causes an organism to react in some way.2. The organism’s reaction to the stimulus is a response.3. All animal behaviors are caused by stimuli.4. Most behaviors help an animal survive or reproduce.

Instinctive BehaviorA. Instinct = a response to a stimulus that is inborn and that an animal performs correctly the first time 1. Examples of Instinct: a. kangaroo in mother’s pouchb. earthworms crawl away from lightc. spiders spinning a web

LearningA. Learning = the process that leads to changes in behavior based on practice or experience.

B. Learning includes

Imprinting,

Conditioning,

Trial and Error

And Insight Learning.

C. Learned behaviors are based on experience so they are NOT done perfectly the first time.D. All learned behaviors depend in part on inherited traits passed on from parents to offspring.

ImprintingImprinting is a learned behavior.

1. Imprinting happens when newly hatched birds and newborn mammals recognize and follow the first object they see.

Imprinting2. Imprinting keeps young animals close to their mothers.

3. Imprinting allows young animals to learn what other animals of their own species look like.

Types of LearningF. Conditioning is a

learned behavior.

Conditioning

Conditioning1. Learning that a particular stimuls or response leads to a good or bad outcome is called conditioning.2. Desired responses are trained using a reward.3. Ivan Pavlov performed experiments on conditioning using dogs.

Trial-and-Error LearningG. Trial and Error is a learned behavior.1. Trial and Error is a form of conditioning.

Trial and Error Learning2. In trial and error, an animal learns to perform a behavior more and more skillfully.3. Through repeated practice an animal learns to repeat behaviors that result in rewards and avoid behaviors that result in punishment.4. One example is learning to ride a bike.

Insight LearningH. Insight is a learned behavior.

Insight Learning1. When you solve a problem or learn how to do something new by applying what you already know, without a period of trial and error, you are using Insight learning.2. Insight learning is most common in primates.3. Chimps use insight learning to bend or chew their twigs into tools that fit into insect nest holes to find food.

Behavior Patterns

Chapter 5.2

Competition & Aggression

When animals compete they show aggression or a threatening behavior that one animal uses to gain control

Establishing a TerritoryTerritory = area that is occupied and defended by an animal or group of animals

MatingCourtship behavior is when males and females of the same species prepare for mating.

Bowerbird Mating

Living in GroupsLiving in groups helps animals survive.

They protect each other Work together to find food

CommunicationCommunicate by

SoundsBody positionMovementScents