Ethology (251003)

Learning Outcomes

1.    To know the models and methodologies of Ethology.
2.    To develop the conceptual-epistemic tools for the understanding of animal behavior, including human behavior
3.    To compare animal behavior with human behavior

Study Program

I.    HISTORICAL AND EPISTEMOLOGICAL BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION - The pathways of classical ethology
1.    Classical ethology
2.    Comparative Methodology
3.    Comparative Psychology
4.    Behavioral Ecology
5.    Sociobiology

II.    PROXIMAL CAUSAL MECHANISMS of BEHAVIOR — MECHANISMS OF BEHAVIOR
1.    Animal perception
2.    Animals and Environment. Coordination and orientation. Physiology and behavior in the changing environment.

III.    PROXIMAL CAUSAL MECHANISMS of BEHAVIOR – DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR
1.    Development of behavior
2.    Learning as a factor in behavioral development. Biological and cognitive aspects of learning.

IV.    ULTIMATE CAUSES OF BEHAVIOR — EVOLUTION, AND FUNCTION
1.    Natural Selection. Natural selection, ecology and behavior. Success. Evolution of adaptive strategies.
2.    Evolution and Social Behavior. Social and sexual behavior. Behavioral Ecology. Primate social behavior.

V.    COMPLEX BEHAVIOR
1.    Ethology. Instinct and behavior.
2.    Communication. Ritualization and communication. Human behavior.
3.    Animal competence. The Mentality of Animals. Intelligence, tool use, and culture. Self-recognition and Animal Emotion.

Bibliography

MAIN REFERENCES: 

Barnard, C. (2004). Animal behaviour: Mechanism, development, function and evolution. Pearson Education.
Goodenough, J., McGuire, B., & Jakob, E. (2009). Perspectives on animal behavior (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.     
Lorenz, K. (1981). The foundations of ethology. Springer-Verlag.
Rubenstein, D. R., & Alcock, J. (2018). Animal behavior: An evolutionary approach (11th ed.). Sinauer Associates.