Earth Science: Biology – Ethology
Behavioral science is a branch of biology that studies the behavior of living organisms. Such behavior may include body posture, vocal sounds, changes in color, and the release of scent pheromones.
Complex behavioral patterns can often be divided into macro (e.g., reproduction) and micro (e.g., courtship displays) behavioral categories.
Earth Science: Biology – Ethology – What is Behavior?
In classic behavioral science, a behavioral pattern is considered to be innate when it is essential for survival and already present at birth, as it is predetermined by the genetic make up of the organism.
A reflex is the simplest form of an innate behavior. It is a programmed reaction to an outside stimulus that is carried out unconsciously. For example, the eyelids close automatically as soon as a draft of air stimulates the surface of the eye and the pupils of a cat will contract as soon as it looks into bright light. These are reflexes which the organism does not have to learn; they are referred to as unconditioned reflexes (as opposed to conditioned reflexes, which are a result of learning).
An unconditioned reflex is always an unconscious response, and therefore it is impossible to suppress it at will. Such a reflex always requires a stimulus that triggers a certain behavior. Many unconditioned reflexes exist in order to protect the organism, for example coughing, nausea, or the draw back reflex of the body part that was touching a hot object.
Anatomically, a reflex is based on a chain of stimulus and reaction, which is referred to as a reflex arc. A reflex arc begins at the receptor, passes through the central nervous system and from there into the organ that is to carry out a responsive action. A well-known example is the knee jerk or patellar reflex in humans, which is triggered by a light hit to the patellar tendon below the patella in the knee.
This causes the thigh muscles to extend (stimulus), which excites the muscle spindles (receptors) and this excitement is then transmitted to the spinal cord (reflex center) via an afferent pathway (which conducts impluses toward the center). From there, it travels through a synapse and efferent neurons (which send impulses away from the center) back into the muscle. This triggers the immediate lifting of the lower leg.
The reflex arc involved only runs through one switch point; therefore, it is referred to as a monosynaptic reflex. The knee jerk reflex is often used in medicine to test the function of the spinal cord and associated nerves. The real purpose of this reflex is to protect humans from injury when tripping. The lower leg moves forward quickly to a fall prevent a fall.
KASPAR HAUSER BEHAVIORAL STUDIES
Kaspar Hauser behavioral studies are carried out to see whether a certain behavior is innate or learnt. It involves raising animals without any social contact to suppress the development of normal behavior.
Kaspar Hauser was an orphan found in Nuremberg in 1828 who claimed that he was held captive in a basement for his entire life.