Psyc 111 1st Edition Lecture 6Outline of Last Lecture I. Ways That Genes Effect BehaviorII. Polygenic EffectsIII. EvolutionOutline of Current LectureI. EthologyII. SociobiologyCurrent LectureI. Ethology Ethology is the study of species-specific behaviors. In certain conditions, all members of a species show the same to the same stimulus. Ethology studies fixed action patterns and sign stimuli in relation to species, and how it is genetically determined. Pavlov and Skinner were two scientists who participated in studies of ethology, and created the theory of tabla rasa. Ethologists determined predispositions and constraints, and did deprivation experiments, which were used to determine genetic activity in species. Some of these experiments included fighting in groups of rats, and mating song acquisition in song birds.Critical periods are the times in certain individuals lives where they only have a small period to learn a certain skill. If they do not learn it, they will never be able to learn it again, at least easily or fully. An example of this is language acquisition in humans. Phonology is when humans do not learn a language at birth. Vestigial behaviors are behaviors that individuals are born with and do not have to learn. This includes newborn babies reflexes, facial expressions, and hand movements. These are not culturally bound. II. SociobiologySociobiology is the study of animal social systems. Patterns of mating systems is one section of sociobiology, which includes polygyny, which is when one male and more than one female mate together. This is most common in mammals, and creates greater female parental investment. Females are more discriminating, and females select for larger males, which is known as sexual dimorphism. Polyandry is when one female and more than one male mate, which leads to greater male parental investment. Monogamyis when one male and one female mate, which is most common in birds (90%). 3% of mammals and 15% of primates are also monogamous.Polygynandry is when more than one male and more than one female mate with each other, also known as colonies. Chimps are most thoroughly studied, and when a female is in season, she mates with many different males. In this pattern of mating, males don't know which offspring is theres, and they also don't fight over female partners.I. Patterns of aggression are also studied in sociobiology. One pattern is aggressionoutside of a group in a species, which can be auditory, visual, or olfactory aggression. Aggression can also be within the group, which can be through dominance hierarchy or submissive postures. Altruistic behavior is endangering yourself to help somebody
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