Classical Ethology Quiz & Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is Ethology?

The study of animal behavior

What is Natural Selection?

The process that awards survival and reproductive success to individuals and groups best adjusted to their environment

Who is Charles Darwin?

A British scientist who revolutionized much of the study related to biology and ethology.

What does Innate mean?

Instinctive Signup and view all the answers

What is the nature-nurture controversy?

The crux of two opposing schools: classical ethology, which views animal behavior as primarily instinctive, and animal psychology, which views animal behavior as primarily learned Signup and view all the answers

What is operant conditioning?

The type of conditioned learning that associates a certain activity with punishment or reward. Signup and view all the answers

What is stimulus-response theory?

The psychological school of thought stating that all complex forms of behavior are complex muscular and glandular responses that can be observed and measured. Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned response?

A simple reflex behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned stimulus?

Sensory input that produces a simple reflex behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is wobble in animal training?

A training maneuver designed to disorient a bird by abruptly dropping the hand it's perched upon Signup and view all the answers

What is sociobiology?

The study of the biological bases of social behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is a sensitive period?

A specific stage early in an animal's life when imprinting occurs Signup and view all the answers

What is instrumental learning?

Learning by trial and error Signup and view all the answers

What does imprinting refer to?

The acquisition in the very young of certain fixed action patterns. Signup and view all the answers

What is separation anxiety in pets?

Anxiety when separated from the owner Signup and view all the answers

What are the two general categories of conditioned learning recognized by behaviorists?

Classical conditioning and operant conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What is positive reinforcement?

Any immediate pleasant occurrence that follows a behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is negative reinforcement?

Any immediate unpleasant occurrence used to create a desired behavior Signup and view all the answers

What are the two kinds of punishment?

Positive punishment and negative punishment Signup and view all the answers

What is the effective way to use punishment for behavior modification?

It must occur every time the behavior occurs, be applied immediately, be of appropriate intensity, and not be associated with the owner. Signup and view all the answers

What is the critical socialization period in dogs?

Four to fourteen weeks Signup and view all the answers

What are common behavioral problems with pets?

Canine separation anxiety, aggression, house soiling Signup and view all the answers

What is conflict-related aggression?

Occurs when a dog is exposed to an uncomfortable or uncertain stimulus or conflict. Signup and view all the answers

What is fear-induced aggression?

The most common type of aggression seen in animal hospitals. Signup and view all the answers

What is dominance aggression?

Aggression that may occur when an owner attempts to assert dominance over a dog. Signup and view all the answers

What is the command-response-reward technique?

Involves giving a command and immediately rewarding the desired response every time it's performed. Signup and view all the answers

What is extinction in behavior modification?

Involves the elimination of a problem behavior by completely removing reinforcement for the behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Animal Behavior Concepts

Ethology: The study of animal behavior.
Natural Selection: Process that favors survival and reproductive success of individuals best suited to their environment.
Charles Darwin: British scientist who laid the foundations of classical ethology, highlighting that much animal behavior is instinctive.

Learning Theories and Concepts

Innate Behavior: Refers to instinctive behaviors that are not learned.
Nature-Nurture Controversy: Debate between classical ethology (instinctive behavior) and animal psychology (learned behavior).
Operant Conditioning: A learning process where behaviors are modified based on reinforcement or punishment.
Stimulus-Response Theory: Asserts that behaviors are complex responses that can be measured.

Conditioning Types

Unconditioned Response: A simple, reflexive behavior not learned.
Unconditioned Stimulus: Sensory input that triggers an unconditioned response.
Conditioned Stimulus: Sensory input that is associated with a response through conditioning.
Classical Conditioning: Learning where stimuli are associated based on their timing and proximity, related to Pavlov's experiments.
Instrumental Learning: Learning that involves trial and error.

Behavioral Patterns

Fixed Action Patterns: Predictable behaviors characteristic of a species.
Imprinting: Early-stage learning allowing young animals to recognize parents or caregivers.

Behavioral Issues and Treatments

House Soiling: Urination or defecation indoors.
Separation Anxiety: Anxiety experienced by pets when away from their owners.
Fear-Induced Aggression: Aggression resulting from fear, often observed in stressful situations.

Training Techniques

Positive Reinforcement: Immediate pleasant consequence following desired behavior.
Negative Reinforcement: Immediate unpleasant consequence used to shape behavior.
Punishment: Techniques used to reduce undesirable behaviors.

Behavior Modification Strategies

Trust, Reward, Reprimand, Consistency: Key elements in effective behavioral therapy.
Command-Response-Reward Technique: Immediate rewards for desired responses; avoidance of punishment is encouraged.
Extinction: Removing reinforcement to eliminate problem behaviors.
Aversion Therapy: Associating unpleasant stimuli with undesirable behaviors.
Counterconditioning: Replacing undesirable behaviors with desirable ones.

Hormonal and Environmental Modifications

Hormonal Therapy: Use of gonadal hormones to address behavior issues.
Environmental Modification: Adjusting an animal's environment to encourage desirable behaviors, such as modifying litter box locations for cats.

Developmental Stages

Sensitive Period: A crucial stage in an animal's life for socialization and learning.
Critical Socialization Period: Specific ages in puppies (four to fourteen weeks) and kittens (two to eight weeks) crucial for proper sociability.

Types of Aggression

Territorial Aggression: Hostility toward non-household members.
Maternal Aggression: Aggressive behavior exhibited by mothers, particularly post-partum.

Key Figures in Animal Behavior

Ivan Pavlov: Key figure in classical conditioning, linking stimuli to responses in animals.
John B. Watson: Developed stimulus-response theory, emphasizing observable behaviors.
B.F. Skinner: Pioneered operant conditioning and behavior shaping through reinforcement.
Konrad Lorenz: Studied fixed action patterns and imprinting processes in animals.

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Explore key concepts in animal behavior with these flashcards tailored for Penn Foster's Vet Tech program. Learn about ethology, natural selection, and influential figures like Charles Darwin. Perfect for veterinary students seeking to enhance their understanding of animal behavior.

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