Animal BehaviorEthology

Ethology

The study of animal behavior

Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

Graduated from Cambridge 1831 Traveled the world – UNPAID! HMS Beagle Studied fossils and living creatures 1859 published theory On the Origin of

Species Species – animal classification

Natural Selection

The process that awards survival & reproductive success best adjusted to their environment

Foundation for classical ethology

Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) Russian physiologist Unconditional response

› A simple reflex behavior Dogs began to salivate w/ sight of food

Conditioned Stimulus › associate an objectivity unrelated environmental cue with

food Dogs learned to ring a bell for food

Stimulus Response› Muscular & glandular response that can be seen and

measured› Theory of psychology including emotions, thoughts and

habits› Can be seen and measured

Conditional Learning

Classical conditioning› Associating stimuli that happens at the

same time or same area Operant conditioning

› Associating an activity with punishment or reward

› B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) Foremost expert on the mechanism of

operant conditioning

Trial and Error Learning

AKA instrumental learning Operant conditioning Link many simple responses into

complex chains of behavior› Uses environmental ques

Sociobiology

The study of the biological bases of the social behavior

Certain animal behavior patterns may be shaped in part my learning and environmental influences› Young animals may adapt appropriate

behaviors with little experience

Roles of Genetics

Inherited characteristics› HUGE impact!› Selective breeding

Instinct

Fixed action patterns – stereotypical/predictable behavior

Instinct - inherited or genetically coded responses to environmental stimuli

Natural and inherent ability to perform tasks

Natural selection develops/refines behavior pattern

Very complex behaviors without trial and error

Animal Learning and Training

Positive Reinforcement› Rewarding good behavior› Immediate pleasant occurrence› Encourages behavior

Negative Reinforcement› Immediate unpleasant occurrence › Unpleasant sensation or occurrence› Increases desired behavior

Punishment

Punishment› Decrease rather than increase a behavior

Positive punishment – adding an unwanted behavior to decrease behavior

Negative punishment – removing a desired occurrence to decrease behavior

MOST DIFFICULT – can create additional unwanted behaviors Every time behavior occurs Applied immediately Appropriate intensity NOT associated with Owner.

Fixed Action Patterns

Konrad Zacharias Lorenz (1903-1989) Research it identifying various kinds of fixed

action patterns Imprinting – a rapid learning process that

enables very young to recognize and bond with caretaker

Sensitive Period – period in which imprinting occurs› Cats – 2w-12w› Dogs – 2w-12w› Equine - Begins immediately

Imprinting

Imprinting

Imprinting – a rapid learning process that enables the very young to recognize and bond with it’s caretaker

Sensitive Period

Time imprinting occurs Canines and Felines

› 2nd-3rd week – 12 weeks Equine

› Immediately

Understanding Normal Behavior

Socialization

Animals continually adjust to social situations

Critical socialization Canine

› 4 – 14wks Feline

› 2-8wks

Socialization

Early contact with humans helps to respond to future stimuli

Early socialization MUST be positive

What is this dog displaying?

Aggression

Behavior from an impulse to harm another

Normal behavior› Socialization› Learned fear

Castration can help reduce aggression

Canine body language

Canine body language