SBCC ZOOL 140 - Lect 02 - scientific method (13 pages)

Animal Behavior Simple definition any organized goal oriented movement on the part of an organism Goal survive reproduce Adaptive value Anything that helps an organism to survive and reproduce is adaptive Animal Behavior More specific definition any internally coordinated externally visible pattern of activity that responds to changing external or internal conditions Components of behavior 1 Internal components Internally coordinated deals with information processing utilizes neurobiological hormonal and or genetic elements systems that organize and initiate behavior 2 External components Externally visible deals with motor patterns that we can observe and measure utilizes effector structures e g legs wings feathers vocal cords structures that are involved with action interaction movement Animal Behavior How do we study animal behavior Scientifically What is Science body of knowledge process of inquiry Is NOT a belief system Characteristics of Science 1 Focuses on phenomena processes observed in nature 2 Explanations based on natural laws empirical evidence MUST be made without moral judgments aesthetic judgments or reference to supernatural forces or beings 3 Works only with testable ideas 4 Is ongoing Conclusions drawn are tentative 5 Scientific ideas cannot be absolutely proven goal is to find the best explanation Scientific Method Digger Wasps Scientific Method 1 Observations 2 Questions How do females find their burrows Scientific Method 1 Observations 2 Questions How do females find their burrows Answer the question 3 Hypothesis Must be a testable explanation Hypothesis females use visual cues to identify location of burrows 4 Prediction statement of what you expect to see if your hypothesis is correct Prediction if females use visual cues to identify the location of burrows then changing or removing the cues will cause females to be unable to find their burrows Prediction 2 if females use visual cues to identify the location of burrows then moving the cues will cause females to look in the wrong location to find their burrows Scientific Method 5 Tests conclusions Test 1 Test 2 Tinbergen 1951 Results Test 1 prediction 1 correct changing or removing the cues will cause females to be unable to find their burrows Results Test 2 prediction 2 correct moving the cues will cause females to look in the wrong location Conclusion Predictions correct Hypothesis supported Data suggest that female digger wasps use visual cues to remember and relocate their burrows PROVE E g Bird song What s making them sing Birds that sing attract more mates Air moving across the syrinx creates a sound He s hot He s hot He s hot Why don t they like me Animal Behavior How do we study animal behavior Scientifically Perspective Proximate how questions mechanisms and structures within an animal that give rise to the behavior a anatomy and physiology b genetics and development Ultimate why questions Evolutionary events that shape behavior adaptive value a cost benefit approach b identifying the function of the behavior