Ethologie animale et humaine

Recall of the basic notions of the theory of evolution and application of this theory to the phylogenies of behavior. Examination of the four points of the “Tinbergen’s program”: determinants, functions, and development of behavior at ontogenetic and phylogenetic levels. Examination of the methods and concepts of ethology : fixed action patterns, learning, conflict and ritualization, etc. Utilization of this conceptual frame to the study of some examples of behavior: the maternal behavior of mice, communication about environment in bees, Vervet monkey’s alarm calls, territorial behavior in sticklebacks, etc.

To place the student into the intellectual framework elaborated by the founders of ethology in order to give them a biological insight into the behavior and its development. This allows notably placing human behavior, and especially human communication, in an evolutionary perspective.

Lectures

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

Book: Le comportement animal, Giraldeau et Dubois, Dunod

Contacts

On appointment or during the lectures

Arnaud Destrebecqz

02 650 42 31

adestre@ulb.ac.be

Room DC10 210

Method(s) of evaluation

• Other

Other

Written examination (miltiple choice)

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

The final grade is exclusively based on the grade at the examination

Language(s) of evaluation

• french