NCSU Course ZO410 Lecture:

Introduction, History, and Methods

I. Overview

Causes --------> Behavior --------> Consequences

-proximate
-ultimate

II. History of the Study of Animal Behavior

Two major Approaches to Study of Animal Behavior

    I. ETHOLOGY
    -ultimate
    -evolution
    -ethogram
    -Lorenz, Tinbergen, von Frisch
    -fixed action pattern
        releaser, innate releasing mechanism, appetitive, consummatory

    II. COMPARATIVE PSYCHOLOGY
    -proximate
    -experiments
    -learning
    -Pavlov, Skinner

Nature/Nurture Controversy
-opposing views
-current thinking
Sociobiology - Hamilton, E.O. Wilson

-inclusive fitness

III. Methods

Current -Three Major Methods of Study

                     1) Descriptive
                     2) Comparative
                     3) Experimental

End of Lecture-Introduction subsite. Return to: Syllabus