BIO E121 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, Optimal Foraging Theory
Document Summary
So far we"ve talked about innate behavior: instinctual, developmentally fixed. Nearly all individuals in a population behave the same way. Not learned, now going on to learned behaviors: learning, modification of behavior as a result of specific experiences, improves outcomes, imprinting. Establishment of long-lasting behavioral response to particular individual or object: can only take place during specific time in development > sensitive period, requires certain characteristics. Establishment of memory that reflects environment"s spatial structure: all environment vary in spatial structure. Example: digger wasps: associative learning, making associations between experiences conditioning. Selection will favor behaviors that promote survival and reproductive success: foraging: feeding behavior, locating, selecting, gathering, hunting food well studied, optimal foraging theory. Theoretical, predicts that animals forage in such a way that : minimizes e use, maximizes nutritional value, > maximize reproductive success, tradeoffs, costs and benefits associated with potential foods determine optimal choice.
