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Flashcards in Behaviour Deck (26)
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1
Q

Behaviour

A

The interaction between an organism and its environment, that is based on the exchange of information between the two.

2
Q

What is the 3 vector model of behaviour?

A

A model that divides behaviour into 3 vectors: input, state and output.

3
Q

Input vector

A

the complex process by which the senses and the brain work together to interpret information coming from the environment.

4
Q

Sign stimulus

A

simple key features of a complex stimulus that bring about a particular fixed action pattern e.g. male robin will attack red feathers

5
Q

State vector

A

the processing that occurs before the reaction is brought about –> brain, CNS

6
Q

Output vector

A

elements of behaviour generated by the animal, accessible throughout observation e.g. bird song, locomotor behaviour

7
Q

What is a proximate explanation?

A

Explanation that related the mechanisms which bring about the expression of the behaviour (what happens) e.g. animal chases away competition

8
Q

What is an ultimate explanation?

A

why the proximate processes should arise e.g. animal chases away competition to increase chances of mating

9
Q

Motivation

A

the internal decision-making process by which the animal chooses to perform a particular behaviour

10
Q

What are the 3 phases of motivated behaviour?

A

Phase I - Orientation - prey not detected Phase II - Oriented -prey detected Phase III - Consumption - killing and eating prey Phase IV - Satiation

11
Q

Where in the brain is feeding initiated?

A

Lateral hypothalamus *feeding behaviour can be organised from periphery, not just hypothalamus; interaction between 2*

12
Q

Where in the brain is satiation initiated?

A

Ventromedial hypothalamus *feeding behaviour can be organised from periphery, not just hypothalamus; interaction between 2*

13
Q

Stereotypic behaviour

A

repetitive behaviour induced by frustration, repeated attempts to cope and/or CNS dysfunction

14
Q

Characteristics of stereotypic behaviour

A

Repetitive Invariant No function

15
Q

What is the function of stereotypic behaviour?

A

Coping hypothesis states that a particular stereotyped response leads to stress reduction and improved wellbeing.

16
Q

Enrichment

A

actions taken to enhance the wellbeing of captive animals by identifying and providing key environmental stimuli The aim is to pre-empt and cure stereotypes

17
Q

Examples of environmental enrichment

A

Physical (housing design) Occupational (exercise, toys, furniture) Nutritional Social Sensory

18
Q

Arguments against environmental enrichment

A

Expensive Luxury not a need (debatable) Increases variability of lab animal data Extra work

19
Q

Is there a neurological basis for stereotypes like other behaviour?

A

YES

20
Q

What are the two types of stereotypic behaviour?

A
21
Q

Frustration-induced stereotypic behaviour

A

behaviour driven directly by motivational frustration, anxiety or physical discomfort

22
Q

Malfunction-induced stereotypic behaviour

A

behaviour that arises from event(s) that impair brain function (e.g. early weaning, chronic stress)

23
Q

What is a circadian rhythm?

A

a daily rhythmical change in behaviour or in a physiological process.

24
Q

What is an infradian rhythm?

A

a rhythm with a period longer than the period of a circadian rhythm e.g. reproductive cycle

25
Q

What is an ultradian rhythm?

A

A rhythm with a period shorter than the period of a circadian rhythm.

26
Q

Zeitgeber

A

Any endogenous clue that entrains the endogenous time-keeping system of organisms e.g. light = the strongest Zeitgeber