In order to identify actual causal mechanisms of behavior, one must manipulate variables and measure the effects of those manipulations, using proper experimental design. We'll explore how this has been done in both the field and laboratory, including the use of robotics.

Ethological Methods: Episode 7: Experimental Manipulation in Field and Lab

Screencasts (video podcasts) hosted by Dr. David B. Miller Professor Emeritus at The University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, U.S.A. These screencasts were formerly used in Dr. Miller's Animal Behavior course from 2009 to 2017, prior to his retirement.

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Early experience greatly affects behavioral development.  Here we look at different ways of experimentally addressing how that takes place.
THIS IS THE FINAL EPISODE OF THE ANIMAL BEHAVIOR SCREENCASTS SERIES.  ALL EPISODES WILL REMAIN AVAILABLE ON iTUNES.

Development:  Episode 9:  Early Experience (FINAL EPISODE IN THIS SERIES)

Konrad Lorenz’s original imprinting question concerned species recognition in relation to mate selection.  This reformulation drills down to individual recognition as a possible mechanism underlying incest avoidance in relation to a model of optimal outbreeding posited by Sir Patrick Bateson.

Development:  Episode 8:  Reformulation of Imprinting

The concept of critical periods is often associated with imprinting as well as other phenomena ranging from experimental embryology to language development.  The experimental study of critical periods, however, usually ignores a critical methodological problem, which is described here.

Development:  Episode 6:  Critical Periods

An examination of sexual and filial imprinting (social attachments) from an historical perspective.

Development:  Episode 5:  Imprinting

Important events occur before birth or hatching, both in terms of embryonic movements and the influences of incoming sensory information.  The extent of significant contributions to postnatal development can depend on how "altriciality" or "precociality" of the species.  Related to this are the kinds of sensory systems that develop both prenatally and postnatally, including an interesting evolutionary constancy.

Ethological Methods: Episode 7: Experimental Manipulation in Field and Lab

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