Select an example of a behaviour (an observable action) that is tested in non-human animals. Animals of interest could be insects, rodents, birds, fish, primates, or any others you discover in your reading. The behaviour can be either innate or learned, but not a reflex. If you are uncertain that the behaviour you have selected is appropriate for this assignment, please consult me or our TA. Evaluate current neuroscience research concerning the behaviour in non-human animals (you may find it easier to confine yourself to one species). To do this,
Find at least four peer-reviewed articles examining the behaviour you have selected. Each article should contain both brain (e.g., histology, single cell recording, lesion) and behavioural measures. Internet sources will not be accepted. See below for what constitutes an acceptable article.
After reading the peer-reviewed articles, formulate a thesis (an analysis or an argument) concerning what you have read. State this thesis in your introductory paragraph.
In the first part of your paper, analyze two of your peer-reviewed studies. Make sure that your analysis explains the fundamental neural (cells or brain regions) aspects of the behaviour. Answer the following questions:
What did the experimenters predict?
How did the experiments test their predictions (i.e., what were the methods)?
What were the main results (for both brain and behaviour)?
What did the researchers conclude about their results?
Do you agree with the conclusions? Why or why not?
In the second part of your paper, discuss the current state of understanding of the behaviour you have selected (referring to all four of your peer-reviewed articles). This discussion should contain enough evidence to support your thesis. Potential discussion points are (1) environmental pressures that might underlie the evolution of the behaviour, (2) the adaptive nature of the behaviour, (3) theories about the neural circuit for the behaviour and how it developed, (4) implications for explaining human behaviour, or (5) potential applications for solving human problems. You may, of course, discuss any other aspect of the behaviour that you deem relevant after your reading.
EXAMPLES OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOURS:
Eating, drinking (water), flying, exploration, navigation, feeding, courtship, nesting, food storing, defensive behaviour, birdsong, grooming, reaching, orientation, habituation, and many more. Select a behaviour for which researchers have identified associated neural or brain activity.
ACCEPTABLE JOURNAL ARTICLES:
All articles should be found at the uottawa library site so that they can be verified. Online sources can help you locate the articles but we should also be able to locate them through the university library.
Articles should be peer-reviewed. Internet sources are generally unacceptable.
Each article you cite should be experimental and contain aspects of both brain and behaviour.
Reviews and meta-analyses are not acceptable (but they are good sources of references to experiments).
Note: The Faculty of Social Sciences Library is located in FSS2010 and has a librarian dedicated to helping with navigating the psychology databases. Due to COVID-19, hours and contact may be limited. You can check for services here:
https://uottawa.libguides.com/psychology-en
http://biblio.uottawa.ca/en/social-sciences-library
Grading
6 APA format (e.g., references, citations, spacing, font, title page)
4 Writing quality (assessed on a 4-point scale)
40 Content
50 Total
