The name of this science comes from the Greekethoswhich means behavior, so it is oriented to the biological study and scientific research of animal principles, addressing their spontaneous behavior.
In the following article we will delve into what ethology is, its objectives and methodology.
What is ethology and what are its objectives?
Ethology is, in general terms, thatscience responsible for studying the behaviorof all the various animal species in their natural environment, including humans.
Note: The development of this science is attributed to Konrad Z Lorenz, Karl von Frisch and Nikolaas Tinbergen in the twentieth century.
It is recognized that the studyis carried out in two environments: the natural and the controlled, thus also allowing to recognize theadaptive capacitythat animals have when being in an environment different from the usual. Based on this, the objectives on which ethology is emphasized are mentioned and described below:
1. Study animal behavior in their environment
As we mentioned previously, one of the main objectives of this science is therecognition and study of the behavior of the animal, including the human being, in its natural environment.
Through this it has been understood that animals have a basic repertoire of response to certain stimuli, especially insocial activities between the same species or not. These can be recognized aspatterns of behaviorand allow the increase of what is known as reproductive efficiency. (1)
2. Study innate human behavior
Innate behavior is one that is composed within the genetic materialof the human and therefore allows specific responses to be specified even without previous experience.
To highlight: Ethology focuses on recognizing innate behaviorsand the improvement or development they have over time. Konrad Lorenz was then, who emphasized the basic ideas of a theory on instinctive behavior.(two)
3. Analyze the animal communication process
It should be noted that there was a great Classification and analysis , especially in bird sounds and chimpanzee vocalizations, applying considerations that have allowed over the years the orientation towards domestic animals to have more extensive and therefore fruitful conditions.
Note: Communication can be between the same or different species, thanks to the participation of vocal, visual and even chemical elements.
4. Analyze the phenomenon of imprinting
The imprint is a behavior, it is based on the delivery of innate responses to learned stimuli. That is, assume and learn from their peers to learn and survive.
This phenomenon is seen mainly in animals, where the continuous monitoring that the young do to their parents stands out as a survival mechanism. It is precisely this type of behavior that is called filial imprinting.
What is the methodology of ethology?
The methodology allows the study and interaction of the environment,even recognizing internal and external stimuli, also contemplating the elements that belong to it and their interactions. They will be mentioned and described below for your recognition and understanding:
1. Causes of behavior
Behavior is the behavioral flow of the individual or animal,with different degrees of integration to its environment and environment. In this sense, ethology focuses on thedetermination and description of behaviors and their causes, thus allowing standardization and recognition of possible evolutions.
2. Stimuli
Note: Focuses on an explanation at the physiological level, the direct cause of the behavior.
3. Sustainable development
It allows the objective to be the search for the ethological behavior of the human being, being motivated by different situations and even experiences, so that the answers allow the origin of the behavior to be developed.
4. Evolution
The evolutionary approach is one that responds to the evolutionary advantages that time has allowed it to be present, thus allowing it to go far beyond the physiological and the reflexes that occur before stimuli.
Key Findings
- Ethology studies the behavior of animals for the understanding and recognition of their nature.
- Ethologists Study animals in their natural and modified environments to recognize adaptive capacity.
- Ethology allows the delimitation of the different stimuli that exist in the life of living beings for the development of their behaviors, whether innate or learned.
- It also focuses on understanding the factors that influence communication.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.