Zoology 304-2001
Dr. Bowen
STUDY QUESTIONS
INTRODUCTION TO AND EVOLUTION OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
1. What is behavior? Differentiate between proximate and ultimate cause of behavior.
2. What role does the environment play in the process of behavior?
3. What is anthropomorphism and what is an anecdote? How do these relate to the
scientific study of behavior?
4. Natural selection results in change in the genetic makeup of a population because of
differential survival and reproduction of individuals. Explain how a behavior might
influence the survival or reproductive success of individuals. Can you think of an
example of a documented effect of a behavior on survival or reproductive success?
5. What is an adaptation? Distinguish between behaviors that evolved through natural
selection and behaviors that are maintained by natural selection.
6. What is the value of the comparative method to the study of animal behavior?
7. Using an example from lecture, Alcock, or your creative mind, outline the process of
evaluating the ultimate cause of the survival value of a behavior.