Animal Behavior

Page
10

Human culture is related to evolutionary theory in the distinct discipline of sociobiology. Human behavior, like that of other species, results from interactions between genes and environment.

However, our social and cultural institutions may provide the only feature in which there is no continuum between humans and other animals.

Slide 75

Learning

Imprinting

Learning

and

problem solving

Cognition

Spatial learning

Social learning

Associative learning

Slide 76

You should now be able to:

State Tinbergen’s four questions and identify each as a proximate or ultimate causation.

Distinguish between the following pairs of terms: kinesis and taxis, circadian and circannual behavioral rhyths, classical and operant conditioning.

Suggest a proximate and an ultimate cause for imprinting in newly hatched geese.

Explain how associative learning may help a predator avoid toxic prey.

Slide 77

Describe how cross-fostering experiments help identify the relative importance of environmental and genetic factors in determining specific behaviors.

Describe optimal foraging theory.

Define and distinguish among promiscuous, monogamous, and polygamous mating systems.

Distinguish between intersexual and intrasexual selection.

Slide 78

Explain how game theory may be used to evaluate alternative behavioral strategies.

Define altruistic behavior.

Distinguish between kin selection and reciprocal altruism.

Define social learning and culture.