Monday, Sept. 9 -- Variability in Social Systems & Behavior:
Problems and Methods [Topic List] | [Next Lecture] | [Previous
Lecture] | Tinbergen's 4 Questions-- ways to answer the - The
immediate factors that influence behavior - Development of
individual- maturation or learning - What the behavior
contributes to survival or reproduction - Evolutionary history
Answers are also described as 'proximate' or 'ultimate':
Proximate- In terms of causation Ultimate- In terms of function
Example: "Why do some birds sing?" Causation; Change in daylight
hours triggers hormonal changes Development; A "sensitive
period" when young enables them to learn songs from their elders
Function; To defend territory and attract mates Evolution;
Songbirds have the same evolutionary ancestor- others We'll
focus on functional explanations in here. The Scientific Method
- Formulate hypothesis - Generate predictions based on
hypothesis - Test predictions through empirical observations -
Either reject or tentatively accept the hypothesis