Behavioral observations

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Behavioral observations
LAB 1
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Information which can be obtained (1)

• the presence or absence of the particular
  activity
• the frequency of occurrence of each activity
  during the observation period
• the duration of each bout of each activity
• the intensity of the activity at each occurrence

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4th problem

• Evolution of Phylogeny
• How did the behavior evolved during the history
  of the species ?
• What factors were involved in molding the
  behavior over the course of evolutionary history
  ?

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Recording behavior
Direct observation Videotaping
Check sheets
Video recorder
Computer software
Tape-recorder
http//www.noldus.com/
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Check Sheet Design
Categories of behavior
Independent variables (date time
observer subjects...)
Sample intervals
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Preliminaries to measuring behavior

• Preliminary observation
• raw material for formulating questions and
  hypotheses
• choosing recording methods measures requires
  some knowledge of the subject and their behavior

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Ways to describe behavior

• The structure is the appearance, physical form or
  temporal patterning of behavior.
• run tip of bill along primary feather of
  wing
• The consequences are the effects of the subjects
  behavior on the environment, on other individuals
  or on itself.
• obtain food escape from a predator

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Ways to describe behavior

• The individuals spatial relation to features of
  the environment or to other individuals.
• emphasis where or with whom
• approach feeder leave nest

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Choosing categories general guidelines

• Choose enough categories to describe the
  behavior (provide background information)
• too many difficult to record reliable data
• too few miss important background information

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Choosing categories general guidelines

• Define precisely the categories
• Categories should be independent
• Categories should be generally homogeneous

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Types of measure

• Latency (measured in units of time s
  min. or h)
• is the time from a specific event to the onset of
  the first occurrence of the behavior. For
  example, if a piglet suckles for the first time
  15 minutes after being born, the latency to
  suckle is 15 minutes

Birth Suckle (1) Suckle (2)
Suckle (3)
0 15min 35min
60min
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Types of measure

• Latency (measured in units of time s
  min. or h)
• is the time from a specific event to the onset of
  the first occurrence of the behavior. For
  example, if a piglet suckles for the first time
  15 minutes after being born, the latency to
  suckle is 15 minutes

Birth Suckle (1) Suckle (2)
Suckle (3)
0 15min 35min
60min
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Types of measure

• Frequency (measured in reciprocal units
  of time e.g., s-1 , min.-1 or h-1)
• is the number of occurrences of the behavior
  pattern per unit of time. For example, if a
  piglet suckles 3 times during a 60 minutes
  recording session, the frequency of suckling is 3
  h-1.

Suckle (1) Suckle (2)
Suckle (3)
0 15min 35min
60min
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Types of measure

• Duration (measured in units of time e.g.,
  s , min. or h )
• is the length of time for which a single
  occurrence of the behavior pattern lasts. For
  example, if a piglet starts suckling and stops 20
  s later, the duration of that suckling period was
  20 s.

total duration 60 s/h
Suckle (1) Suckle (2)
Suckle (3)
proportion 60/3600 0.016
mean duration 123/320 s
0 15min 35min
60min
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Types of measure

• Intensity
• the number of component acts per unit of time.
  For example, the sound intensity of the
  vocalization (piglet or sow) that precedes milk
  ejection.

Suckle (1) Suckle (2)
Suckle (3)
0 15min 35min
60min
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Information which can be obtained (1)

• 1) the presence or absence of the particular
  activity
• 2) the frequency of occurrence of each activity
  during the observation period
• 3) the duration of each bout of each
  activity
• 4) the intensity of the activity at each
  occurrence

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Information which can be obtained (2)

• the latency of occurrence of the activity after
  some stimulus or previous action
• the timing and nature of subsequent activities
• the timing and nature of behavior changes in
  relation to physiological changes.

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Events versus States

• Events
• behavioral patterns of relatively short duration
• discrete body movements
• vocalizations

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Events versus States

• States
• behavioral patterns of relatively long duration
• body postures
• resting, feeding, drinking

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Sampling rules

• Ad libitum sampling
• no systematic constraints are placed

1
3
7
2
4
6
5
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Sampling rules

• Focal sampling
• one animal (one litter...) for a specified amount
  of time

2 5 4 1 3 6 2
3
2
7
60 min.
1
700-1000 1200-1500
4
5
6
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Sampling rules

• Scan sampling
• the whole group is scanned at regular intervals

2 5 4 1 3 6 2
3
2
7
60 min.
1
700-1000 1200-1500
4
5
6
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Sampling rules

• Behavior sampling
• the whole group is observed and each occurrence
  of a particular behavior is recorded

5
7
2
7
3
7
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Sampling rules
Ad libitum sampling
Focal sampling
Scan sampling
Behavior sampling
Recording rules
Time sampling
Continuous recording
One-zero sampling
Instantaneous sampling
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Recording rules

• Continuous recording
• each occurrence of the behavior is recorded
• times at which a behavior pattern occurs (events)
• behavioral pattern start and finishing time
  (states)

Behavior
Receiver
start
end
Performer
outcome
bull 7
gc
730
735
5
gb
gc groom cow gbgroom performer
Focal
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Recording rules

• Time sampling
• a) instantaneous sampling (freeze picture)
• b) one-zero sampling (occurred or not)
• register the occurrence of the behavior using
  sample intervals

b)
Sample
grazing
drinking
walking
idle s. idle l.
other
a)
700
1 2 5 6 7
3 2
702