KONRAD LORENZS ETHOLOGICAL THEORY Human Development Group 6

Konrad Lorenz �Born on November 7, 1903 in Austria �As a child, he loved

�stresses that behavior is strongly influenced by biology and is tied of evolution �characterized

But what is ethology? �noun � 1. study of the behaviour of animals in

Lorenz’s experiment studied the behavior of greylag geese, which will follow their mothers as

�It is the rapid, innate learning that involves attachment to the first moving objects

�contributions of ethological theory 1. focus on the biological and evolutionary basis of development

criticisms 1. too much emphasis on biological foundations 2. a belief that the critical

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KONRAD LORENZ’S ETHOLOGICAL THEORY Human Development Group 6

Konrad Lorenz �Born on November 7, 1903 in Austria �As a child, he loved animals and collected a variety of them. �He was very interested in the behavior of animals �At 10, he discovered evolution by reading a book by Wilhelm Bolsche �He helped in bringing Ethology to prominence From: http: //www. muskingum. edu/~psych/psy cweb/history/lorenz. htm

�stresses that behavior is strongly influenced by biology and is tied of evolution �characterized by critical or sensitive periods. �these are specific time frames during which, according to ethologists, the presence or absence of certain experiences has a long-lasting influence on individuals.

But what is ethology? �noun � 1. study of the behaviour of animals in their normal environment (Collins Dictionary, 2010) noun � 2. study of animal behavioral patterns: the study of the behavior of animals in their natural habitat, usually proposing evolutionary explanations (Encarta Dictionaries, 2009)

Lorenz’s experiment studied the behavior of greylag geese, which will follow their mothers as soon as they hatch. 2. He separated the eggs laid by one goose into two groups. > one group he returned to the goose to be hatched by her. > the other group was hatched in an incubator 3. He marked the goslings and then placed both groups under a box. Mother goose and "mother" Lorenz stood aside as the box lifted. Each group of goslings went directly to its "mother. “ Lorenz called this process . 1.

�It is the rapid, innate learning that involves attachment to the first moving objects seen. �John Bowlby- stressed that attachment to a caregiver over the first year of life has important consequences throughout the life span.

�contributions of ethological theory 1. focus on the biological and evolutionary basis of development 2. the use of careful observations in naturalistic settings

criticisms 1. too much emphasis on biological foundations 2. a belief that the critical and sensitive period concepts might be too rigid.