Using The Observer for Animal Behavior Research: Stress and emotions in animals
Publication Type: |
Generic |
Year of Publication: |
2004 |
Authors: |
Paul Koene |
Publication/Journal: |
|
Keywords: |
animal behavior, animal behaviour, emotions, research, stereotypies, stress, umwelt |
Abstract:
Animals respond to inputs from their inner and outer environment with physiological and behavioral changes. They try to maintain a stable state by reacting to disturbances of the inner and outer world: their Umwelt. Under natural conditions an animal predicts and controls its Umwelt by feeding, moving, resting, socializing, communicating, etc. It has the freedom to react. Under restrained conditions, for instance in intensive housing systems, animals are less able to predict and control their own Umwelt. In trying to find solutions for the lack of control many animals develop “problem” behavior. Continuous, purposeless locomotion, chewing and jumping are so-called stereotypies. Study of these stereotypies can give us insight in the problems the animals have in relation to their artificial environment. The causation and function of “problem” behavior are the main subjects of study at the Ethology department of Wageningen Agricultural University. In the next sections, several examples of these behavioral studies are presented.