How fixed is the fixed action pattern

Behaviour can be described in terms of its changing uncertainty or decision structure over time. Such a description is economical, maximally informative and may well be of importance neurophysiologically. We try to show that the methods which are normally used to detect temporal patterning between already recognized behavioural acts can also be used on a finer time scale to detect moment to moment patterns of posture within those acts. From such analyses, it is possible to calculate the 'decisioniness' or 'uncertainty' of different parts of the behavioural sequence. We illustrate this by an attempt to describe the decision structure of the drinking behaviour of domestic chicks, using frame by frame videotape analysis. For example, it appears that the first downstroke phase of each drink is more uncertain as to outcome than the other phases, suggesting that 'decisions' are taken during the downstroke. We end with an attempt to plot a continuous graph of behaviour uncertainty against time sampled at 50 msec intervals.

Decisions and the Uncertainty of Behaviour

High-speed cinematography was used to analyze the eating behavior of the pigeon and to clarify the nature of its control by stimulus and motivational variables. Eating-response sequences may be functionally subdivided into a series of individual movement patterns whose duration and sequential organization exhibit a range of stereotypy comparable with that of movement patterns with an obvious communication function. Food deprivation does not affect the topography or spatiotemporal organization of the eating-response sequence but increases the rate at which such sequences are emitted. Stimuli coming from food elicit and orient many components of the eating response and serve as coordinating links in the causal chain that integrates individual movement patterns into an adaptive behavior for the efficient ingestion of food.

Eating in the Pigeon (Columba livia): Movement Patterns, Stereotypy, and Stimulus Control

Among the areas of classical ethology that still constitute a large portion of current research in behavioral biology are social dominance, the use of behavioral characters in the assessment of taxonomic relationships, and behavioral variability and stereotypy (“fixed” action patterns). Unfortunately, until recently, there have been very few quantitative analyses of these classical areas. In this chapter, I shall consider some ways in which these three topics have been analyzed quantitatively. Specifically, I shall discuss (1) the application of Landau's index to the measurement of social dominance hierarchies, (2) the use of procedures that are commonly employed in numerical taxonomy to assess taxonomic relationships based on non-behavioral characters, and how some of these have recently been applied to behavioral taxonomies, and (3) the way in which behavioral variability and/or stereotypy have been measured, primarily by use of the coefficient of variation.

Quantitative studies of three areas of classical ethology: social dominance, behavioral taxonomy, and behavioral variability

Brain stimulation and species-typical behaviour: activities evoked by electrical stimulation of the brains of chickens (Gallus gallus).

1. The display actions of the Goldeneve (Bucephala clangula) have been analyzed from motion picture film. A name was given for each movement and the durations were measured. A record is also given of the probable order of the appearance of the actions during the spring. 2. The display actions are divided into two categories. The first includes all actions seen as F l o c k D i s p l a y s. These displays include 12 male actions and 5 female actions. The second category, P r e c o p u l a t o r Actions and C o p u l a t i o n, includes 9 male actions and 2 female actions. 3. The analysis of the display movements of the Goldeneye has shown that each is a stereotyped action. In most cases the duration of the movement has proven to be the most accurate measurement of this rigidity, however, the form of each movement has also been studied. The advantage in studying durations is that they can be easily and objectively measured, whereas no objective method of analyzing form has yet been found. 4. Some movements were found to be exceedingly constant in both form and duration. In contrast others, although constant in form, vary in duration. Even more interesting is the fact that very similar actions may be split into two types; some on the basis of form, and others on the basis of duration. 5. In contrast to virtually all of the other display actions in this species, some of the actions of the female are quite variable in both form and duration. There is the possibility that these movements cannot be clearly separated and classified.

The Form and Duration of the Display Actions of the Goldeneye (Bucephala Clangula)

Readings in behavior

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The Form and Duration of the Display Actions of the Goldeneye (Bucephala Clangula)

Readings in behavior