Biodiversity Stewardship Lab

What is the meaning of Ultimate Function (UF) from an ethologist’s perspective? TIP: same as for Q1.4

What is the meaning of Ultimate Evolution (UE) from an ethologist’s perspective? TIP: same as for Q1.4

What is the meaning of Proximate Development (PD) from an ethologist’s perspective? TIPS: same as for Q1.4

What is the meaning of Proximate Causation (PC) from an ethologist’s perspective? TIP: Choose an example from the textbook, and/or research the scientific source for it. Another option might be to choose an example that interests you. Ask others for more clarification about the examples and sources that they post. Practice critical thinking about fine-tuning how you describe this concept in a manner that applies to many examples, yours as well as others, to illustrate how a concept is an “umbrella idea” or “hypothesis”.

Who were the intellectual forefathers of ethology, and what did each scientist study? TIP: Try researching these scientists using google scholar. See if you can find the popular and scientific works that they authored, and share those sources with us. Help us understand the social context in which these scientist were working, what was happening in world history at that time? To which sources would you refer someone if they wanted to learn more about these scientists and their contributions?

What is the meaning of Folk Psychology from an anthropomorphic perspective on behavior (give example)? TIP: To get at the concept of folk psychology, think about what is similar among many examples (e.g. desires, emotions, beliefs). If you want to, look up the description on wikipedia. Check sources available through Web of Science (library.tamu.edu) or Google scholar. Practice applying this to your favorite example of anthropomorphism. Lets keep our examples relevant to the reading and notes for this part of the course. Remember to cite your sources so others may read them and decide if they agree with you.

What are the objectives of this course? TIP: Lets try to find ways to explain these objectives in words that add to the course description. When each of us can put it in our own words and explain it to someone new, we really know we understand it. This is also a place to ask for clarification about any thing that might not be clear. When you comment on this question, please make it short, for example, only comment on one objective and let others chime in about the rest….in other words, pass the ball, no need to “hog the court”!

Dialogue is more fun when we know a little about each other’s interests and experiences with animal behavior.  Share with us your interests in this topic.  Connect with others who have similar experiences.  Discover who will be a resource for something you have been wanting to learn.

To get off on a good start this semester, this is a direct line to express your views and get assistance on anything you need to know to make your life easier in getting started.  We look forward to hearing from you and to your tips to help each other with positive problem-solving about course materials and procedures for Ethology WFSC 422

Our research teams work on several projects and we like to keep informed of each others activities.  We hope this results in productive cross-fertilization of ideas.