In-Depth Animal Behavior Proposal

This essay will look at the work of two very famous behaviourists. It will consider the differences and similarities as well as give descriptive detail of their actual experiments and see if any contribution was provided to mankind. It will focus on the theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning which occurs through interaction with the environment. As this was done by experimenting with animals, it is also necessary to consider the rules and restrictions that are needed to be kept in mind as research ethics applies to any experiments done on any living thing.

Studies and research performed by biologists, neurologists, psychologists and geneticists, noted are the researchers who took the opportunity to analyze behavior in all sorts of environments.

Although Dominance Theory training is based on an understanding of an animal’s social dynamics and is still in use, most popularly dogs and horses, the observations it is based on are often misunderstood and misapplied, so its use has led to ethically questionable training methods today.

Animals behave in response to their environments just like humans. Behavior can be simply broken down into emotions, thoughts, and psychological responses. These fall under three categories: reflexes, instincts and learned behaviors, which all have a role in helping us to survive in this world. A reflex is an involuntary reaction to stimuli. Our reflexes are controlled by our nervous system. When we go to the doctor for a checkup and the doctor uses an object similar to a hammer and taps its on your knee, he is checking your reflexes. Reflexes are usually fast responses to something such as resting your hand on a hot stove and then lifting it quickly because you did not realize it was on. Instincts are natural behavioral patterns prompted by

“Beasts under the Big Top” by Sena Christian and “When Animals Mourn” by Barbara J. King both relate to the idea of animal behavior and the different ways it can be affected. Christian explains the effects on behavior caused by an animals surroundings and treatment by humans. In contrast, King specifically focuses on the impact death has on an animals behavior, whether it be a passing in the community or of a close family member. Although both authors write about changes in animal mannerisms, they each take distinct approaches on discussing the topic.

On Friday, March 31, a observation study was conducted at the L.A. Zoo. The time of arrival for the observation was at 11:48 am and the end of the observation was at 2:42 pm. The weather condition at the zoo was very sunny with a mild gust of wind every so often, which is a perfect weather condition to conduct a study. The main reason for conducting this observation study was to study and gather information about the many different types of primate that are located at the zoo. To see how different or similar each primate is to one anotherin different aspects.

Mackintosh (1997) starts his paper with a critique of radical behaviourism. In the 1960s, Pavlovian and Instrumental conditionings were main theories to explain animal and human behaviour. However, with cognitivism coming into the picture, learning theory has dramatically improved. Animal theorists started paying more attention to animal cognition, and nothing but well came from it, as researchers

First, animals can become violent after being abused by their owner. For instance, Seth says, “8% of animal cruelty cases involving animal beating.” Many animals learn habits from their owners, so if their owners have violent tendencies it is more likely that the animal will pick up those violent tendencies. Secondly, animals can also become shy and non trusting towards new people after one owner abandons them. For example, college towns like Ruston animals are often abandoned right before summer break begins. This happens each year, so an animal can often be abandoned more then once in its life time, leading these animals to develop trust issues. Michelle stated, “Seeing the same animal come through the shelter several times is not unheard of but it does make it harder to place them each time they come in.” The animals become more introverted towards strangers each time they come through shelters, making finding them loving homes that much

Increased awareness regarding animal cruelty would benefit society, pet owners, and animals themselves. When a problem is identified, it becomes easier to work out solutions. Animal cruelty is an issue on a global scale; animal torture and neglect does not only exist in the United States. Animal cruelty is the “crime of inflicting physical pain, suffering or death on an animal, usually a tame one, beyond necessity for normal discipline. It can include neglect that is so monstrous (withholding food and water) that the animal has suffered, died or been put in an imminent

Over the centuries, animals have suffered from cruelty from humans. In the United States, animals are beaten, neglected, or forced to struggle for survival. Animals have been inflicted with pain from humans for reasons other than self-defense. They have been slaughtered for their food and fur for personal gain in profit. In a majority of cases they have even been abused for someone’s own personal amusement or out of rage filled impulses. In some cases animals are found and rescued. They are given the second chance in life to experience what life should be like compared to what they once had.

This essay will outline and compare both biological and behavioural perspectives on human behaviour. The history, major discoveries and theories will be discussed along with some of the most influential theorists in each of these two areas of psychology. This essay will also compare the two areas strengths and weaknesses in the field of psychology.

Introduction: I remembered how throughout my life I respected and admired people that tried to help animals in need. I remembered how I felt when I saw first-hand the result of abuse. I remembered how I wanted to help those poor animals that were being treated so cruelly. And for all that I remembered, I decided that the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) was the interest group I felt strongly for and chose to research.

Taste Aversion Learning by Birds in Colchester, Vermont on the Saint Michael’s College campus: A Study of Batesian Mimicry

A biological constraint in learning theory refers to an inherited tendency to learn and create certain relationships, and it has been said that some species are much more readily than others in learning such behaviour. Therefore it involves the factors which make populations resistant to evolutionary change and the animals biological make up. In this paper I will attempt to explain the bases of the original biological approaches to learning in classical conditioning in humans and animals, make comparison between animals and the association of fears

animal behaviour when it supports his arguments. However, it is in fact difficult to judge the causes for animal distress based on their reaction (i.e. writhing, facial contortions, moaning, and yelping) as these reactions may not be based on a cognitive awareness but on a self‐preservation instinct. Singer and we can only hypothesize what an animal might be feeling, not make categorical arguments as Singer has done.