A science that studies animal psychology is called zoopsychology. Her research covers the study of the life of animals both in nature and in the laboratory. The main questions of specialists in human and animal psychology are the relationship of heredity and characteristics of the psyche, the role of instincts, adaptive functions of the psyche in the natural environment.
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It is important to consider psychology separately from ethology. The first ethologists were European scientists who observed animals in their natural environment. Initially, experimental animal psychology was studied at American universities. It was then that studies were conducted in local laboratories.
Zoologists became the ethologists, who were most interested in the development of behavior, adaptation, the extent to which they are due to heredity. Ethology has significantly influenced the development of the psychology of animal behavior as a science. She drew the attention of zoopsychologists to the role of heredity. As a result, these two sciences have come closer, and this process continues. To achieve a complete understanding of the psychology of human and animal behavior, it is necessary to use the achievements of both of these disciplines.
Historical aspect
For the first time, mankind has thought about how our smaller brothers, many centuries ago, behave. Even Heraclitus suggested that, while people possess souls, animals do not have them. However, Aristotle, talking about psychology, the psyche of man and animals, became the person who formulated the first principles of zoopsychology.
The first official work on this issue was the Comparative Psychology of 1864. Its author is Flurance. Nevertheless, the main impulse was the work of Charles Darwin's “Origin of Species” of 1859. There, reasoning was given about adaptation in animal behavior. Thanks to these ideas, the development of the science of animal psychology began.
Towards the end of the 19th century, several more works on the same topic were published. In the first half of the 20th century, the study of the psyche and animal psychology was influenced by the idea that the behavior of these creatures to a greater extent determines the external environment. At the same time, the remaining factors were ignored, on which the perception of our smaller brothers depends. And there were only a few individual scientists who studied psychology, the psyche of man and animals in the complex, looked at them with a broader look.
Adaptation in evolution
Darwin with his ideas influenced further studies of zoopsychology. After him, it was believed that living creatures were selected based on the idea that survivors were selected according to the best adaptation to the external environment. For example, several groups of animals formed during natural selection. So, ungulates were herd creatures, while predators did not unite, with the exception of a number of species that created small groups. At the same time, ungulates mated much faster, they sleep more sensitively, are able to drink quickly. While predators mate longer, their sleep is stronger.
The form of behavior, the psychology of animals of carnivores does not imply fast drinking. They prepare their burrows for childbirth, while ungulates give birth much faster. This difference is due to the pressure of natural selection, which determined the behavior of animals, their psychology.
Genetics and Behavior
It was found that in many ways the behavior of our smaller brothers depends on the structure of their body, neurophysiology. But the features of the focus of their attention, learning abilities are determined by heredity. For example, a primate is much easier to hear sounds from individuals of his species, and this is due to a genetic factor. Frogs have special visual properties, thanks to which they easily detect flying insects.
It is noteworthy that their reaction to stationary objects is much less pronounced. As soon as the chicks in the nests on the rocks hatch, they do not approach the edges. While ducklings are not so careful.
Environmental impact
It is considered very carefully in the introduction of social animal into social psychology. During the study of primates in nature, it was revealed that the threat of carnivorous neighbors largely affects the social organization of these creatures. One of the most famous studies compared anubis and hamadril. These are the baboons that live in Ethiopian forests. Their life differs in that Anubis have much more access to food. Hamadril is more difficult to get food because of the habitat - they live in arid regions.
Both species are hunted by lions and leopards. Anubis are united in huge groups, they have several adult representatives of different sexes in one association. Hamadrils live in harems - for one strongest male there are several females, their cubs also live with them.
Hamadrils are accustomed to survive in small groups, with difficulty obtaining food. The male brings food. Due to the fact that there are no other males, less food is needed. At night, harems come together to enhance safety.
In the introduction to social psychology in animals, the social principle is considered on this example. The social structure of these primates is due to hereditary factors. Animals unite in harems regardless of any external conditions - they are attracted to each other just like that because of their gender. While in Anubis, the attraction of opposite sexes to each other occurs only during estrus in females.
Social behavior
Each representative of our smaller brothers, in any case, at some stage in his life contacts with individuals of his own species. This is necessary to continue life on earth. The animal psychology can vary very strongly - someone leads a life of a loner, while someone else lives entirely among relatives. Thanks to the grouping, individuals more easily solve survival issues - it is easier to get food and increase the efficiency of reproduction.
It is noteworthy that the psychology of animals remains unchanged, even when it is disadvantageous and not needed in this form at this particular moment. It is genetically determined. For example, although dogs were isolated from wolves 12,000 years ago, these species retain similar behavior. They remain pack animals, report information about their location, condition through barking, howling. They equally guard the terrain, bury food. Although animals of the house do not need this type of psychology.
Moreover, for the full formation of social behavior for dogs and wolves, certain points are critically important. So, if puppies in the first 14 weeks of life have not established a friendly relationship with a person, they will remain “wild”. They will not strive for people.
Communication
In fact, communication is any action that is carried out by the body to achieve the most beneficial situation. Our smaller brothers communicate by a variety of means. These can be both actions that are specified by heredity, and individual languages that appear during training.
A special means of communication in any form is a sexual attractant. Such substances signal to males that females are ready for mating. Very complex communication systems are used by birds and mammals. Communication is different in intensity. In many ways, it affects the level of motivation. Communication of primates is difficult - they use both sounds and facial expressions. The most developed means of communication is the language that people use. This is one of the main differences between human psychology and animals along with the ability to perform conscious acts.
The behavior and teaching of primates
At the moment, in primates, the importance in animal psychology is enormous. They are actively studied both in nature and in the laboratory. Since monkeys are very close genetically to people, information about them makes it possible to better understand humanity.
The psychology of animals of these species for the most part studies their social structure, the role of hereditary factors, the behavior of parents on the formation of an individual. Families of primates are classified according to properties similar to humans.
Sensory psyche
The psychology of animals of the lower type is aimed at obtaining food, revealing how suitable it is for consumption, and avoiding unpleasant effects. So a habit is developed. It is noteworthy that scientists tried to find out the meaning in animals, in psychology, of the ability to learn when it comes to lower species. So, the infusoria was studied - the learning curve for it is the same as for higher species. The development of an associative connection was not revealed, however, thanks to the external manipulations of the researchers, the movements of this living creature were accelerated.
The highest level of sensory psyche is possessed by worms, echinoderms. They are more advanced than the previous group. They have accelerated excitation, increased reaction rate. A chemical response is noted, for example, when placing starfish in water, where it smells like a predator. It was found that learning is better in young hydra.
In the course of research, scientists turned on the light, and then gave hydrams food. Repeating the same experiment, they did not reveal the occurrence of an associative connection.
Applying up to 150 different actions, the researchers also failed to note signs of the appearance of associative connections. However, anemones produced them. It is noteworthy that the worms demonstrate the beginning of communication when they are trying to occupy someone's home. Associations arise in planarians. At the same time, they live for a long time, up to 16 days.
Scientists have been able to establish the fact that earthworms are able to learn to distinguish between a safe and dangerous territory on one surface only. For example, if the worms are adversely affected on any surfaces except clay, one day it will clog here and stay here. It was possible to develop an associative series in worms with the inclusion of light and eating. As a result, the worms crawled out of their shelters into the light on their own. And the memory of this remained up to 15 days.
Perceptual psyche
Arthropods and cephalopods may analyze the situation as a whole. They pay attention to how and where new objects appear. This was found in the course of special studies. The complex nervous system of these creatures provides a fairly complex relationship with the environment. They have a fairly developed vision.
The tactile sensations of insects that lead a nocturnal lifestyle are quite developed.
Cephalopods prefer a sedentary lifestyle, they choose a separate place at the bottom. Many of them are constructive.
Studying the psychology of domestic animals, their wild representatives, scientists have revealed the fact that octopuses can very well be tamed. So, these creatures unclenched human fingers with food instead of drowning a person and eating food with his hand.
Experiments have shown that when an octopus, starving, stumbles upon a crab covered with plates under current, the creature, having hit 1-2 times, then creeps into the plate. It is noteworthy that associative relationships lived for about a month. At the same time, learning was much more in young individuals than in adults. Young individuals will try to get prey within 6-8 hours, while adult octopuses try for 1 hour.
Amphibians, reptiles, all other animals and several species of fish possess the highest level of perceptual psyche.
It was revealed that turtles are able to learn how to pass through mazes with several dead ends. In natural conditions, they overcome similar barriers in burrows. It is noted that land turtles are more progressive than amphibians.
Studies have shown that birds are much more mobile. They remain active in all seasons. A number of birds catches large animals, and hunting is a rather complicated process. Some of them even use the simplest tools to cut food.
In terms of interaction with offspring, they also demonstrate complex patterns. After all, birds need to find a place for nests, equip them, protect the terrain, feed, train chicks.
Chicks easily learn the behavior of other creatures by observing them. Even in the early stages of life, they are able to take stones and throw them at other objects. It is noteworthy that even if the cub has never seen relatives, and sees a stone, he will still be interested in him. Associations in birds develop very quickly. They instantly notice changes in the environment. Food signals and domestic hens, geese, ducks for up to 3 months. Most developed psyche in parrots, daytime predators.
Games begin with birds - both adults and young people are engaged in this.
Predators are able to play hunting. In cities, these creatures use the surrounding objects in their games. They actively explore the world. With ease, pigeons adapt to pulling levers for food. They can count the number of objects.
Mammals have extremely sharp sense organs. So, dogs can even by the smell of one human hair reveal the face from which it fell. They are able to find identical twins. Dogs can detect schizophrenic.
The psychology of pets, research in this area has shown that horses are able to solve complex mathematical problems. They know how to observe the smallest movements of people and associate them with the solution of tasks that a man offers a horse.
Differences between mammals and other animals
Among mammals, hierarchical relationships are common. They can be linear, branching, circular. Most often, individuals at the top of the hierarchy are the most aggressive. Mammals are aware of the relationships between individuals. As indicated in books on animal psychology, the cub learns early on what rank his parents have.
It distinguishes mammals from other animals for the duration of children's years. Due to the fact that the cubs develop for a long time, are next to their parents, they continue to play actively. As a result, they imitate a lot, study, observing others, learn to use the objects of the world around them. For example, primates use sticks with stones, and someone exposes them to primitive processing.
Mammals show the fastest formation of associative bonds. Many species are able to solve complex tasks.
Impact on animal behavior
During isolation, it is observed that some species of animals lose their skills. For example, they may begin to respond inappropriately to external stimuli. Moreover, the behavior is practically not corrected. Animals move quite a bit.
But if from a young age the baby is often picked up, stroked, the environment around it is quite rich, it develops much faster. Such animals are much easier to cope with emotions. It is easier for them to overcome the stressful effects. Their training occurs on average 2.5 times faster. It is noteworthy that the same applies to children. If a child often comes into contact with adults in the early years, he develops much faster.
Instinctive behavior is inherited, as is adaptability. Learning is non-associative and associative. The first is expressed in addiction, which is absolutely any kind. Associative learning involves associations.
Psychology: favorite animal
It is believed that a person’s favorite animal directly reflects his essence. Man's predisposition to certain types of living creatures is rooted in antiquity. In Egyptian traditions, cats were considered sacred; in Indian traditions, cows were considered. While sheep in many cultures were sacrificed. Someone prefers wild and large predators, someone likes domestic cats. It is believed that the data about which animal loves a person very eloquently characterize it.
Owls
In a number of states, owls are considered abductors of fortune, harbingers of death. Somewhere it is believed that owls are a symbol of wisdom, prosperity, enrichment. The presence of special light feelings for this bird indicates the insight of the person. Such a person can easily reveal betrayal, find the truth. He is not afraid to change his life, as he foresees the consequences of actions.
A fox
Throughout the fox is considered a cunning, graceful creature. At the same time, it is clever, dodgy. In the folk epos of many cultures, it is the fox who deceives all those around him, and she always achieves her goals using any means.
If a person admires a fox, he is also a tormentor, able to overcome his own fear, complexes. In a stressful situation, such a person will show cunning. She is able to manipulate others.
Horse
Being close to the horse, it is impossible not to feel the power of this creature. If a person likes horses, this indicates that he is freedom-loving, responsible. Representatives who like to overcome many difficulties on the way to the goal and not go astray often like horses.
Bird
Traditionally, birds are symbols of freedom. Ancient Egyptian creators often painted the souls of the dead in the form of birds. Their heads were human. Warm feelings for birds indicate that a person is conscious, spiritual. He seeks to know the truth.
Bear
Bears are controversial creatures, and in different cultures they are evaluated in completely different ways. In Russia, he was traditionally the king of animals, furious, sometimes good-natured. It was an image of fortune. In many nations living on the territory of Russia, in shamanistic traditions it was believed that bears are the incarnations of dead people. If a person likes this predator, this is an indicator that he has a strong character. He is confident in himself, shows courage, does not fear loneliness, adversity, difficulties.
a lion
This predator is the personification of royal power, courage. Lions do not fear anything, they do not know about this feeling. For this reason, if a person adores this predator, he has strengths. He is self-confident, selfish. He has the ability to choose a life partner, to sift the environment. He is most often a leader who changes the world.
Butterfly
Butterflies are the personification of the immortality of the soul. After all, the insect begins life with the shape of a caterpillar, and then transforms into a butterfly. If a person loves butterflies, he believes in love, is not afraid to change life, and is able to enjoy change. Thanks to this, he always greatly transforms his lifestyle, it is full of incredible events.
Wolf
The wolf traditionally personifies freedom, fearlessness. A man with a concept of honor loves wolves, prone to independence. He is confident, demonstrates determination. He will fight for the trifle with the whole world, but will not choose defeat, even if he is threatened with death. This is evidence of great courage.
Tiger
In Chinese traditions, the king of animals is a tiger. He shows courage, fury, elusiveness. Usually in folk tales it is an equal competitor to dragons. The predator is beautiful, elegant, exceptional and strong. If a person has a favorite animal - a tiger, this indicates that he is decisive, persistent, tolerant. He is wise, shows responsibility, he has every opportunity to realize any dream. He understands that for success pays constant work on the strength of spirit and will.
Snake
Many people are very scared of snakes. However, these creatures are considered the personification of wisdom, immortality, healing powers. It is not for nothing that the snake is the pharmacy symbol. Snakes are written about in many sacred texts, even in the most ancient of them. Snakes are extremely attentive. If a person loves snakes, this is a symbol of the fact that he will be able to achieve adaptation in any external conditions. He does not hold negative emotions in himself, releases insults. At the same time, cunning is characteristic of him; he always achieves his goals, often using cunning. He has a bright and strong intuition, is able to identify opponents in the early stages.
Deer
In many cultures, deer is a symbol of the sun, light, spirituality. Its horns in ancient myths reflect the Tree of Life. If a person is admired by these forest creatures, he is kind, calm and disinterested. In addition, such a person is able to control his own emotions, to hear. She is afraid of little, realizing the world order. This is a person striving for creation, helping others in this.
It is noteworthy that during the study of animal psychology, scientists drew attention to the fact that each individual has individual characteristics. So, even within the same species, each individual will be slightly different. At the same time, the psychology of species is fundamentally different. For example, one of the latest animal studies is closely related to the definition of sharks as introverts, and tits as shy ones.