BIO 359K Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Pineal Gland, Karl Von Frisch, Konrad Lorenz
Document Summary
Animal behavior is an exceptionally complex and multi-dimensional subject. Resultant of the causes inside the animal and forces outside the animal (history of individual animal, evolution of the species). Evolution applies to population, driven by natural selection that applies to individuals. It can be studied at any level in the biological hierarchy from sub-atomic particles to the. In the 20th century, 3 academic disciplines eventually merged to form the basis of how we study animal behavior today. Proximate and ultimate developed by ernst mayr. One of the major organizing principles in animal behavior (and biology in general) is the concept that questions, explanations, causes, etc. can be analyzed on at least 2 levels, and in most cases in at least 4 levels. 4 levels do not preclude each other, but can complement. Proximate causes are mechanistic and often are phrased using the interrogative word. How/what? : focuses on understanding immediate causes of behavior (mechanistic).
