Meaning and Definition of Ethology

Definition of ethology

Every science has an object of particular study. Through the scientific study, it is possible to better understand the reality. Scientific knowledge should be interdisciplinary, i.e. the different scientific areas offer information about a concrete reality. This article focuses attention on the study of a science: ethology.

What is the object of study of ethology?

It is the science that studies the behavior of the animals when they are released. There are animals that have a wild life, show the beauty of animal life. But there are also examples of animals that have been integrated into the personal routine of many families. For example, there are people who have a pet at home. The dog and the cats are an example. Many people have a dog, go out to walk with this and feel that this animal makes them much company. Thus, in daily life, is established a relationship between the owner and the animals. Therefore, through ethology, it is possible to find information about animal behavior with the goal of better understanding.

Ethology study of animals in the context where people live

Ethology studies the behavior of animals in the context in which are found, i.e., either in the wild or in another context. It is important to point out that there is also the human ethology, which focuses on the study of the behavior of people.

Analyzing the roots of animal behavior

The ethology of the animal study also examines to what extent there are animal behaviors that have a genetic explanation, or is it behavior acquired through learning. All science part questions, observation and the hypotheses that arise from observation based on experience. There is a characteristic of ethology question: When did this behavior in the history of evolution? Ethology is a recent science showing the curious positive in knowing the common customs of animals. As science, ethology serves two important functions. First, describe the main features of the behavior of an animal and secondly, find the causes by which an animal behaves that way. I.e. explain the raison d ' être of that animal behavior. For example, in the event that a pet showing aggressive behavior, necessary to find out the causes.