Behavioral Biology (Ethology)

  1. Proximate Mechanisms of Behavior
    1. Genetic Basis of Behavior
      1. Genes and Behavior
        1. Single-Gene Effects
          1. Polygenic Traits
            1. Quantitative Trait Loci
            2. Heritability of Behavioral Traits
              1. Quantitative Genetics
                1. Twin Studies
                  1. Family Studies
                    1. Artificial Selection Experiments
                    2. Gene-Environment Interactions
                      1. Genotype by Environment Interactions
                        1. Phenotypic Plasticity
                          1. Reaction Norms
                          2. Epigenetics and Behavior
                            1. DNA Methylation
                              1. Histone Modification
                                1. Transgenerational Effects
                                  1. Environmental Programming
                                  2. Molecular Genetics of Behavior
                                    1. Candidate Gene Approaches
                                      1. Genome-Wide Association Studies
                                        1. Knockout and Transgenic Studies
                                      2. Neural and Physiological Control
                                        1. The Nervous System and Behavior
                                          1. Structure and Function of Neurons
                                            1. Neural Networks
                                              1. Sensory Perception and Filtering
                                                1. Sensory Modalities
                                                  1. Sensory Adaptation
                                                    1. Sensory Thresholds
                                                    2. Neural Circuits for Behavior
                                                      1. Reflexes and Instincts
                                                        1. Central Pattern Generators
                                                          1. Motor Programs
                                                          2. Command Centers and Behavioral Hierarchies
                                                            1. Brain Regions and Behavior
                                                              1. Hierarchical Control Systems
                                                            2. The Endocrine System and Behavior
                                                              1. Hormones and their Effects
                                                                1. Mechanisms of Hormone Action
                                                                  1. Hormonal Regulation of Behavior
                                                                    1. Hormone-Behavior Feedback Loops
                                                                    2. Organizational vs. Activational Effects
                                                                      1. Developmental Effects
                                                                        1. Adult Modulation of Behavior
                                                                          1. Critical Period Effects
                                                                          2. Stress Hormones
                                                                            1. Corticosteroids
                                                                              1. Stress Response Systems
                                                                                1. Behavioral Consequences of Stress
                                                                                  1. Chronic Stress Effects
                                                                                  2. Reproductive Hormones
                                                                                    1. Testosterone and Aggression
                                                                                      1. Estrogen and Maternal Behavior
                                                                                        1. Hormonal Cycles and Behavioral Changes
                                                                                          1. Seasonal Hormonal Patterns
                                                                                        2. Neurotransmitters and Behavior
                                                                                          1. Major Neurotransmitter Systems
                                                                                            1. Dopamine and Reward
                                                                                              1. Serotonin and Mood
                                                                                                1. Oxytocin and Social Bonding
                                                                                              2. Development of Behavior (Ontogeny)
                                                                                                1. Instinct and Innate Behaviors
                                                                                                  1. Characteristics of Innate Behaviors
                                                                                                    1. Fixed Action Patterns
                                                                                                      1. Definition and Examples
                                                                                                        1. Neural Basis of FAPs
                                                                                                          1. Stimulus-Response Relationships
                                                                                                          2. Sign Stimuli and Releasers
                                                                                                            1. Identification of Key Stimuli
                                                                                                              1. Supernormal Stimuli
                                                                                                                1. Innate Releasing Mechanisms
                                                                                                              2. Learning and Cognition
                                                                                                                1. Types of Learning
                                                                                                                  1. Non-associative Learning
                                                                                                                    1. Habituation
                                                                                                                      1. Sensitization
                                                                                                                        1. Dishabituation
                                                                                                                        2. Associative Learning
                                                                                                                          1. Classical Conditioning
                                                                                                                            1. Pavlovian Conditioning
                                                                                                                              1. Stimulus-Response Associations
                                                                                                                                1. Extinction and Spontaneous Recovery
                                                                                                                                2. Operant Conditioning
                                                                                                                                  1. Reinforcement and Punishment
                                                                                                                                    1. Shaping and Extinction
                                                                                                                                      1. Schedules of Reinforcement
                                                                                                                                    2. Spatial Learning and Memory
                                                                                                                                      1. Cognitive Maps
                                                                                                                                        1. Landmark Use
                                                                                                                                          1. Path Integration
                                                                                                                                          2. Social Learning and Cultural Transmission
                                                                                                                                            1. Imitation and Emulation
                                                                                                                                              1. Teaching in Animals
                                                                                                                                                1. Tradition and Culture in Animal Groups
                                                                                                                                                  1. Observational Learning
                                                                                                                                                  2. Insight and Problem Solving
                                                                                                                                                    1. Tool Use
                                                                                                                                                      1. Problem-Solving Strategies
                                                                                                                                                        1. Cognitive Flexibility
                                                                                                                                                      2. Memory Systems
                                                                                                                                                        1. Short-term vs. Long-term Memory
                                                                                                                                                          1. Spatial Memory
                                                                                                                                                            1. Episodic-like Memory
                                                                                                                                                          2. Critical Periods and Imprinting
                                                                                                                                                            1. Definition of Critical Periods
                                                                                                                                                              1. Filial Imprinting
                                                                                                                                                                1. Mechanisms and Timing
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Long-term Effects
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Neural Basis
                                                                                                                                                                    2. Sexual Imprinting
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Mate Choice Influences
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Species Recognition
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Cross-fostering Studies
                                                                                                                                                                        2. Behavioral Development
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Maturation vs. Learning
                                                                                                                                                                            1. Play Behavior
                                                                                                                                                                              1. Juvenile Behavior Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                                1. Behavioral Ontogeny

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                                                                                                                                                                            1. Foundations of Behavioral Biology

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                                                                                                                                                                            3. Ultimate Causes of Behavior: Survival