Transcript lecture4.ppt.ppt

Lecture 4. Proximate and
Ultimate Causes of Behaviour
The beewolf wasp
(Philanthus triangulum)
Beewolf wasp burrows
Niko Tinbergen: one of the founders of ethology
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The Scientific Method
• Observation and causal question
• Hypothesis
• Predictions
• Test of predictions
• Conclusion
The Scientific Method
• Observation and causal question: Beewolves find
the entrance to their own nests. How do they do it?
• Hypothesis: They use local landmarks as cues
• Predictions: If they use local landmarks then
manipulating those landmarks should mislead them
• Test of predictions: Experiments
• Conclusion: Yes, local landmarks are used by beewolves
as cues in finding own nest
Black-headed gull
… and its chicks
The Scientific Method
• Observation and causal question - black headed gulls
remove eggshells. Why did black headed gulls evolve
behaviour of eggshell removal?
• Hypothesis - maybe this behaviour helps parent gulls to
conceal their offspring from predators
• Predictions - if so, broken eggshells should help predators
find food
• Test of predictions - experiment
• Conclusion - yes, broken eggshells
help predators’ find food.
Proximate causes
Ultimate causes
of behavour
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Oystercatcher
Kittiwake
Black-headed gull
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Oystercatcher
Kittiwake
Solitary nesting
Nest predators
Immediate eggshell
removal
Group nesting
No nest predators
No eggshell
removal
Black-headed gull
Group nesting
Nest predation present
Delayed eggshell removal
Konrad Lorenz: one of the founders of ethology
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Filial imprinting
Circular arena used to test for filial imprinting in young birds
Conditioned
Taste Aversion
Conditioned Taste Aversion in Rats
 single trial learning
long lasting effect
contiguity CS-US not necessary
=
Avoidance of novel-flavoured drink
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Why
do
babies
cry???