The science that studies the psychology of animals is called zoopsychology. Her research covers the study of the vital activity 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 mental characteristics, the role of instincts, adaptive functions of the psyche in the natural environment.
General data
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 research was carried out in local laboratories.
Ethologists became zoologists, who were most interested in the development of behavior, adaptation, the extent to which they are due to heredity. Ethology has largely 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 converged, and this process continues. To achieve a complete understandingThe psychology of human and animal behavior needs to benefit from the achievements of both of these disciplines.
Historical aspect
For the first time, mankind thought about how our smaller brothers behave, many centuries ago. Even Heraclitus suggested that, while people have souls, animals do not. However, Aristotle, talking about psychology, the psyche of humans and animals, became the person who formulated the first principles of zoopsychology.
The first official work on this issue was "Comparative Psychology" in 1864. Its author is Flurence. However, the main impetus came from Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species in 1859. There were discussions about adaptation in the behavior of animals. Thanks to these ideas, the development of the science of animal psychology began.
By 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 psychology of animals was influenced by the idea that the behavior of these creatures is largely determined by the external environment. At the same time, other 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 humans and animals in a complex, looked at them from a broader perspective.
Adaptation in evolution
Darwin with his ideas influenced further research in animal psychology. After him, it was believed that living creatures were selected based on the idea that survivorsselected for the best adaptation to the environment. For example, in the course of natural selection, several groups of animals were formed. Thus, ungulates were gregarious 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, and are able to drink quickly. While predators mate longer, they sleep better.
The form of behavior, the psychology of animal carnivores does not involve quick drinking. They prepare their birthing burrows, while ungulates give birth much faster. This difference is due to the pressure of natural selection, which determined the form of behavior of animals, their psychology completely.
Genetics and behavior
It was found that in many respects the behavior of our smaller brothers depends on the structure of their body, neurophysiology. But the peculiarities of the direction of their attention, the ability to learn are determined by heredity. For example, a primate is much easier to hear sounds from individuals of its own species, and this is due to a genetic factor. Frogs have special eyesight abilities that make it easy for them to 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 come to the edges. While the ducklings are not so careful.
Influence of the external environment
Very carefully considered in the introduction to the social psychology of the social animal. In the course of studying primates in nature, it was revealed that the threat of carnivorous neighbors is largelyaffects the social organization of these creatures. One of the most famous studies compared anubis and hamadryas. These are baboons that live in the Ethiopian forests. Their lives differ in that anubis have much more access to food. Hamadryas find it more difficult to get food because of their habitat - they live in arid regions.
Both of these species are preyed upon by lions and leopards. Anubis unite in huge groups, they have several adult representatives of different sexes in one association. Hamadryas live in harems - there are several females for one strongest male, and their cubs live with them.
Hamadryas are used to surviving in small groups, with difficulty getting food. The male brings food. Due to the fact that there are no other males, less food is needed. Harems gather together at night to increase security.
In the introduction to social psychology in animals, the social principle is considered using 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 of life is in contact with individuals of their own species. This is necessary for the continuation of life on earth. At the same time, the psychology of animals can vary greatly - someone leadsthe life of a loner, and someone's whole life flows among relatives. Thanks to the association in groups, individuals are easier to solve issues of survival - it is easier to get food, increase the efficiency of reproduction.
Remarkable is the fact that the psychology of animals remains unchanged, even when it is disadvantageous and not needed in this form at a given 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 area, bury food. Although the animals at home no longer need this type of psychology.
At the same time, certain moments are critically important for the full formation of social behavior for dogs and wolves. 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 go after people.
Communication
In fact, communication is any action that is performed by the body in order to achieve the most advantageous situation. Our smaller brothers communicate by a variety of means. These can be actions that are set by heredity, and individual languages that appear in the course of learning.
A special means of communication in any form is a sexual attractant. Such substances signal to males that the females are ready to mate. Birds use very complex communication systems,mammals. Communication varies in intensity. Much depends on the level of motivation. The 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 actions.
Behavior and learning in primates
At the moment, the importance of primates in animal psychology is colossal. They are actively studied both in nature and in the laboratory. Since monkeys are very close genetically to humans, information about them allows us to understand humanity much better.
The psychology of animals of these species for the most part studies their social structure, the role of hereditary factors, the behavior of parents in the formation of an individual. Primate families are classified according to properties similar to humans.
Sensory psyche
The psychology of animals of the lowest type is aimed at obtaining food, revealing how it is suitable for consumption, avoiding unpleasant effects. This is how a habit is formed. It is noteworthy that scientists tried to find out the significance 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 accelerated.
Worms and echinoderms have the highest level of sensory psyche. They are moreadvanced than the previous group. Their excitation is accelerated, the reaction rate increases. There is a chemical response, for example, when starfish are placed in water that smells like a predator. It has been found that learning is better in young hydras.
During the research, scientists turned on the light, and then gave the hydras food. Repeating the same experiment, they did not reveal the emergence of an associative connection.
Using up to 150 different actions, the researchers also failed to notice signs of the appearance of associative links. However, sea anemones produced them. It is noteworthy that worms demonstrate the beginning of communication when they try to occupy someone's home. Associative connections 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 safe and dangerous territory by just one surface. For example, if worms are negatively affected on any surface other than clay, one day it will clog up here and stay here. It was possible to develop an associative series in worms with turning on the light and eating. As a result, the worms independently crawled out of their shelters into the light. And the memory of this was preserved up to 15 days.
Perceptual psyche
Arthropods and cephalopods can analyze the situation as a whole. They pay attention to how and where new objects appear. This was established in the course of special studies. The complex nervous system of these creatures provides enoughcomplex relationships with the environment. They have fairly developed eyesight.
The tactile sensations of nocturnal insects are highly developed.
Cephalopods prefer a sedentary lifestyle, they choose a separate place for themselves at the bottom. Many of them are engaged in constructive activities.
Studying the psychology of domestic animals, their wild representatives, scientists have revealed the fact that octopuses can be tamed. So, these creatures unclenched human fingers with food instead of drowning a person and eating food with a hand.
Experiments have shown that when an octopus, starving, stumbles upon a crab covered with plates under current, the creature, hitting 1-2 times, then crawls around the plate. It is noteworthy that the associative links lived for about a month. At the same time, learning ability was much greater in young individuals than in adults. Young octopuses will try to get prey for 6-8 hours, while adult octopuses try for 1 hour.
Amphibians, reptiles, all other animals and several varieties of fish have the highest level of perceptual psyche.
Turtles have been shown to be able to learn how to navigate mazes with multiple dead ends. Under 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 catch large animals, andhunting is a rather complicated process. Some of them even use the simplest tools to carve 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 area, feed and train the chicks.
Chicks easily learn the behavior of other creatures by watching them. Even in the early stages of life, they are able to pick up stones and throw them at other objects. It is noteworthy that even if the cub has never seen relatives and sees a stone, it will still show interest in it. Associative connections in birds are developed very quickly. They instantly notice changes in the environment. Food signals and domestic chickens, geese, ducks for up to 3 months. Parrots, diurnal predators, have the most developed psyche.
Birds start games - both adults and young ones do this.
Predators are able to play hunting. In cities, in their games, these creatures use the surrounding objects. They actively explore the world around them. 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 identify the face from which it fell by the smell of one human hair. They are able to find identical twins. Dogs can detect a schizophrenic.
Psychology of pets, studies in this area have shown that horsescapable of solving complex mathematical problems. They are able to observe the slightest movements of people and connect them with the solution of tasks that the person offers the horse.
Differences between mammals and other animals
Hierarchical relationships are common among mammals. They can be linear, branching, circular. Most often, the most aggressive are individuals at the top of the hierarchy. Mammals are aware of relationships between individuals. As stated in the books on animal psychology, the cub learns early on what rank his parents have.
Distinguishes mammals from other animals duration of childhood. Due to the fact that the cubs develop for a long time, are close to their parents, they continue to play actively. As a result, they imitate a lot, learn by observing others, learn to use the objects of the world around them. For example, primates use sticks and stones, and someone exposes them to primitive processing.
Mammals demonstrate the fastest development of associative links. Many species are able to solve the most difficult tasks.
Influence on animal behavior
During the isolation, it is observed that some animal species are losing skills. For example, they may begin to respond inappropriately to external stimuli. In this case, the behavior is practically not corrected. Animals move quite a bit.
But if a cub is often picked up and stroked from an early age, the environment around it is quite rich, it develops much faster. Such animals are much easier to cope with emotions. It's easier for themovercome stress. Their learning occurs on average 2.5 times faster. It is noteworthy that the same applies to children. If a child has frequent contact with adults in his early years, he develops much faster.
Instinctive behavior is inherited, as is adaptability. Learning is non-associative and associative. The first is expressed in the addiction that absolutely any species has. Associative learning involves associations.
Psychology: favorite animal
It is believed that a person's favorite animal directly reflects his essence. Human predisposition to some types of living creatures is rooted in antiquity. In Egyptian traditions, cats were considered sacred, in Indian - cows. Whereas sheep were sacrificed in many cultures. Someone prefers wild and large predators, someone likes domestic cats. It is believed that the data about what kind of animal a person loves characterize him very eloquently.
Owls
In a number of states, owls are considered to be thieves of fortune, harbingers of death. Somewhere it is believed that owls are a symbol of wisdom, prosperity, enrichment. The presence of special bright feelings for this bird indicates the insight of the individual. Such a person is able to easily identify betrayal, to find the truth. He is not afraid to change his life, as he foresees the consequences of actions in advance.
Fox
Everywhere the fox is considered a cunning, graceful creature. At the same time, it is agile, resourceful. In the folk epic of manycultures, it is the fox who deceives everyone around, and she always achieves her goals using any means.
If a person admires a fox, he is also quick, able to overcome his own fear, complexes. In a stressful situation, such a person will show cunning. She has the ability to manipulate others.
Horse
Staying close to a horse, it's impossible not to feel the power of this creature. If a person likes horses, this indicates that he is freedom-loving, responsible. Horses are often liked by personable people who are able to overcome many difficulties on the way to the goal and not go astray.
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 the person is conscious, spiritual. He seeks to know the truth.
Bear
Bears are controversial creatures and valued differently in different cultures. In Russia, he was traditionally the king of beasts, furious, sometimes good-natured. It was the image of fortune. In many nations that lived on the territory of Russia, in shamanic 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 self-confident, shows courage, does not feel fear of loneliness, adversity, difficulties.
Lion
This predator is the personification of royal power, courage. Lions are not afraid of anything,they don't know about this feeling. For this reason, if a person adores this predator, he has strengths. He is confident, selfish. He has the ability to choose his life partner, to sift out the environment. He is most often the leader who changes the world.
Butterfly
Butterflies are the personification of the immortality of the soul. After all, an insect begins life with the form of a caterpillar, and then transforms into a butterfly. If a person loves butterflies, he believes in love, is not afraid to change his life, and is able to enjoy change. Thanks to this, he always greatly transforms his lifestyle, it is full of incredible events.
Wolf
Wolf traditionally personifies freedom, fearlessness. A person with a concept of honor, prone to independence, loves wolves. He is self-confident, demonstrates purposefulness. He will fight the whole world for a trifle, but he will not choose defeat, even if death threatens him. This is evidence of great courage.
Tiger
In Chinese tradition, the king of beasts is the tiger. He demonstrates courage, fury, elusiveness. Usually in folk tales it is an equal rival of dragons. The Predator is beautiful, graceful, exceptional and strong. If a person's favorite animal is a tiger, this indicates that he is decisive, persistent, and tolerant. He is wise, shows responsibility, he has every opportunity to realize any dream. He understands that he pays for success by constant work on strength of mind and will.
Snake
A lot of people are very fearful of snakes. However, these creatures are considered the personification of wisdom,immortality, healing powers. It is not for nothing that the snake is a pharmacy symbol. Snakes are written about in many sacred texts, even in the most ancient of them. The 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, he lets go of resentment. At the same time, he is characterized by resourcefulness, he always achieves his goals, often using cunning. He has a bright and strong intuition, able to identify opponents in the early stages.
Deer
In many cultures, the deer is a symbol of the sun, light, spirituality. His 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 not afraid of anything, realizing the world order. This is a person striving for creation, helping others in this.
It is noteworthy that in the course of studying the psychology of animals, scientists drew attention to the fact that each individual has individual characteristics. So, even within the same species, each individual will be somewhat different. At the same time, the psychology of species differs fundamentally. For example, one of the latest animal studies is closely related to the definition of sharks as introverts, and tits as shy.
