Behavior

Existing definitions

Below, some Definition S of the concept of " comportement" , extracted the current scientific literature:

The behavior is a whole of observable phenomena in an external way|Gallo A. in Bloch p153
Manner of being and of acting of the Animals and the Men, objective demonstrations of their total activity. (Piéron H. in Bloch 1994 p153)
The behavior is the whole of the objectively observable reactions that an organization generally equipped with a nervous system carries out in answer to stimulations of the medium, themselves objectively observable. (Watson J.B in Bloch 1994 p153)
The behavior is a reality appréhendable in the form of units of observation, the acts, whose frequency and sequences are likely to change; it translates into action the image of the situation such as it is elaborate, with its own tools, by the being which one studies: the behavior expresses a form of representation and construction of a particular world (Umwelt). (Gallo A. in Bloch 1994 p154)

It is observed that these various definitions do not indicate the same thing completely, probably because they were defined starting from an external position compared to the studied object, and that their authors come from various scientific disciplines.

Central problems of the concept

The first stage of the development of a definition is to identify and characterize what makes necessary the creation of this definition.

A major characteristic of some alive organizations is the capacity of movement S, which makes it possible to interact actively with the environment. An important aspect of this capacity is that the movement is not a fortuitous effect (as the movement of a branch to the wind), but the result of a specific organization of the organization.

The paramount factors of the alive one which are directly in relation to this capacity of movement are: the organization , the movement , the limit and the organization . The organization is a paramount and fundamental factor the alive one: any living being is a structure highly organized . The disorganization causes death. The movement is another paramount factor of the alive one: almost all the elements of an alive structure are in perpetual motion . The stop of the movement causes death. The limit is also a paramount factor of the alive one: all the living beings have limiting external and often many limiting interns . The suppression of the limits causes death. The organization is an alive structure only by the existence of limiting and organized movements .

Synthetic definition

The synthesis of all the elements presented above makes it possible to work out a definition of the concept of " comportement" , based on the structural and functional biological characteristics paramount, and which is valid for all the living organisms.

See the figure " Definition of the concept of “behavior” " , opposite.

It is observed that the movement organized for the interior of organization (enzymatic reactions, intracellular transport of the molecules, proteinic pumps, cellular Endocytose, migrations, Blood circulation, etc) is an absolute vital need for all the living beings. On the other hand, the movement organized for the outside of the organization (locomotion, Préhension, etc), which corresponds to the concept of " comportement" , is optional. There exists mainly only in the reigns Protiste and Animal.

According to this synthesis, the definition of the concept of " comportement" , valid for all the living organisms, is: together of the movements organized to act outside the organization .

This definition, more technical and more precise than the general standard and usual data in introduction, makes it possible to identify without ambiguity all the behaviors: the external observation and objectifies of a movement of an organization (or part of an organization) is a behavior if there exist biological structures specifically organized to produce this movement; for example the movement of the eyes of the mammals is not the indirect result of the movements of the head, but results from a control neural (cores oculomoteurs III, IV and VI, etc) of the ocular muscles: there thus exists an ocular behavior.

The ethology is the science of the description and the systematic study of these organized movements. But in general the ethologists study especially the most elaborate behaviors: food, sexual, of defense of the territory, etc

The behavior in the reigns of the alive one

Among the six reign S currently recognized (animal, mushroom, plant, protist, archeobactery, eubactery), one primarily observes behaviors in the animals, and, in a way more limited much, at the protists. Nevertheless, some cases of movements specifically organized to act outside the organization can be observed in the other reigns.

The behavior at the plants

The vegetable behavior is an extremely limited phenomenon. The vegetable movement depends primarily on the hydrodynamic mechanism of the Turgescence. " Variations of turgescence of very localized cells of many plants produce at them movements of bodies, such as closings of petals of flowers (bindweed) or of leaflets (various papilionacées, or, spectacular case, the sensitive one), or the cheesecloth movements (berberis autogame), or reploiement of the tentacle-traps of sheets of plants carnivores, etc." (Dauta J. 1999).

At the plants, the typical example of specifically organized movements and having a function in connection with the environment are the movements of closing of the traps of the Plantes carnivores (dionées, will droséras, etc). A detailed explanation and an animated presentation of the structures and mechanisms implied in this behavior Prédateur are available on the www.carnibase.com site.

The behavior among protists

The behaviors of the protists are very simple and are limited primarily to behaviors of locomotion.

The biological structures and processes which allow these organized movements are the movements amiboïdes plasmic Membrane, and especially those of the lashes and Flagelle S. " In the intestinal bacterium Escherichia coli, for example, each whips is a rigid filament of 14 thousandth of micrometers of diameter and 10 micrometers length, which turns at the incredible speed of some 200 turns a second thanks to a small rotary engine inserted in the membrane and the wall of the cellule" (Bornens Mr. 2005).

The direction of displacement is controlled by the detection of a gradient of concentration of a molecule, which is detected by receivers (phenomenon of Chimiotactisme). " Displacement is not done randomly, and, even in the simplest cells, it appears necessary to postulate mechanisms of stimulation and inhibition of the mouvement" (Rozé C. 1999).

The behavior in the animals

The behavior in the mammals

The behaviors of the mammals can be very complex. They are carried out thanks to structures and specialized Organe S, highly organized: Skeleton articulated, Muscles, and especially a specialized nervous system (spinaux motoneurones, pyramidal driving system and extrapyramidal).

Methodology of study of the behaviors

Note: this chapter is in the course of drafting, it is designed to present the various methods of studies of the behaviors.

The study of the behaviors generally passes by a rigorous observation of the behaviors of the individuals according to conditions fixed beforehand by the experimenter. All the difficulty lies in the fact of very clearly defining the various parameters which will constitute the session of observation. As opposed to what not initiated could think, to observe a behavior is not simply to look at. Without what it would certainly not be necessary to make long studies in sciences, leading the observer, in the majority of the cases to continue its studies until the doctorate (i.e. studies of 3rd cycle).

Since to observe does not improvise itself it is consequently necessary to apply methods of observation which are validated. ---- This part just consists of concepts (in English, because the generic terms are always given in English (language of reference) to be then translated in the national language) which it will be appropriate to develop thereafter

The methods classically applied to the Behavioral sciences, and them, the ethology are the following ones:

focal animal sampling with continuous recording

scan sampling

AD libitum

In short is the observation relates to an animal which is followed throughout the Session of observation, it is focal the sampling. Maybe during a meeting of Recueil of the data the observer is interested in several animals, it is the scan sampling.

Phylogenesis of the behaviors

Note: this currently empty chapter is designed to present current knowledge relating to the phylogenetic development of the behaviors. Do not hesitate to develop it.

Psychobiology of the animal behavior

Note: this currently empty chapter is designed to present current knowledge relating to the factors neurobiologic (of the reflexes to the most complex processes cortical) which is common to the development and the control of the various behaviors, and which are common to the most developed animals (Man including). Do not hesitate to develop it.

Development of the human behaviors

Note: this currently empty chapter is designed to present current knowledge relating at the stages and the factors which take part in the development of the behaviors, but which are common to all the human behaviors. Do not hesitate to develop it.

Psychological examination of the human behavior

Note: this currently empty chapter is designed to present current knowledge relating to the psychological and psychosociological factors general implied in the human behaviors. Do not hesitate to develop it.

At the man, the behavior is a window on the personality, as a its external demonstration. For this reason, it is the principal subject of study of the Psychologie (behavioral psychology). It includes the verbal and nonverbal communications. It is thus in the middle of the social life.

to also see Psychology of the behavior or Behaviorism

Sociological study of the human behavior

Note: this currently empty chapter is designed to present current knowledge relating to the general sociological factors which influence the human behaviors. Do not hesitate to develop it.

The social Psychologie studies in particular the reciprocal influences between individual behavior and collective behavior.

It appears that the individual in group or in a company, formal or abstract, loses more or less most of his autonomy of thought. It then tends to adopt with the thought and the behavior of the group or the mass, and thus to differently behave from the EC what it would do if it were insulated.

Individuals who receive Stimuli can change behavior.

A practical example of research on these phenomena is the behavioral economy.

There exists a very strong interaction between the behavior and the thought. If it is obvious that the thought influences the behavior, it is known today that the behavior influences in an unquestionable way the thought. The most effective techniques of handling are based on this principle, baptized congruence. The man requires, for his balance, to justify his own behavior and of autopersuader that its acts are legitimate and coherent. The experiment thus conditions the thought.

References

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