evolution of behaviour

Question 1

what is evolution?

Answer 1

the process by which different kinds of living organisms are believed to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth

Question 2

evolution in terms of evolution vs development

Answer 2

process whereby a species’ heritable characteristics change over many generations

Question 3

development in terms of evolution vs development

Answer 3

changes an animal undergoes during its lifetime → limited by genetics, influenced by the environment and experiences

Question 4

why does behaviour evolve?

Answer 4

to suit their environment and increase their fitness

Question 5

fitness (in terms of evolution)

Answer 5

the ability to pass on their genes to the next generations (or the ability to reproduce viable offspring)

Question 6

darwinian theory 1.)

Answer 6

animals within a species display a range of different heritable characteristics → which include both physical and behavioural traits

Question 7

darwinian theory 2.)

Answer 7

there is competition for resources which means that some animals in a species will not survive long enough to reproduce

Question 8

darwinian theory 3.)

Answer 8

animals with characteristics that are better suited to their environment are more likely to surive and pass them on to offspring

Question 9

darwinian theory 4.)

Answer 9

these successful characteristics are therefore passed on to the next generation → the traits become more represented in the population over time, leading to adaptation and possible speciation

Question 10

speciation

Answer 10

when a group within a species seperates from other members of its species and develops its own unique characteristics

Question 11

wild animal

Answer 11

an animal not genetically altered by artificial selection for use by humans

Question 12

tame animal

Answer 12

a wild animal through intervention of man, has adapted behaviourally so as to be traceable and useful to humans

Question 13

domestication

Answer 13

the process of adapting wild plants and animals for human use

Question 14

instinctive behaviour

Answer 14

behaviour shown in all normal members of a species (AKA innate behaviour)

Question 15

fixed action pattern

Answer 15

a chain of events / behaviours that must happen in a certain order (e.e. egg-laying behaviour

Question 16

imprinting

Answer 16

learning that is irreversible and limited to a sensitive time period in an animal’s life

Question 17

learned behaviour

Answer 17

modification of behaviour as a result of experience

Question 18

habituation

Answer 18

becoming accustomed to a stimuli and losing a reaction due to repeated exposure

Question 19

association

Answer 19

behavioural change due creating a link between a behaviour and reward or punishment

Question 20

imitation

Answer 20

learning by observing and mimicking others

Question 21

problem solving

Answer 21

inventive behaviour that arises in response to a new situation

Question 22

culturual behaviour

Answer 22

the adoption of a particular behaviour accross groups

Question 23

internal factors that influence behaviour

Answer 23

• hunger and thirst
• hormones
• stress
• anxiety
• fear
• health
• fatigue

Question 24

external factors that influence behaviour

Answer 24

• other animals
• accomodation and husbandry
• weather / seasons
• human interaction