Definitions
What is recall
Ability to access, retrieve and bring forward stored info
What does the mother/offspring bond depend on
Polygynous - multi babies
Precocial vs altricial
Genetic differences - beef vs dairy
Strength of bond - proximity of young
Litter size
Intensive or extensive operations
What is temperment
Relates to differences in emotionality or inherited tendencies demonstrated early in life
What are the 3 models of personality
Myers-briggs type indicator
DISC program
Five factor model
What is validity? the two types?
The degree to which a test measures the targeted outcome
Convergent validity investigates whether two tests actually measure the same trait
Discriminant validity investigates whether two tests that are employed to measure different traits actually measure different traits
What is memory
Storing of information
- involves two CNS activities
= Strengthening of synaptic connectivity
= Fresh production or reconstruction of neural pathways
What are some other bonds seen between animals other than mother-offspring
Siblings
Friendships
What is personality
Relates to the sense of self or personal character which develops over time
What is the DISC program
Dominance - direct
Influence - outgoing
Conscientiousness - Analytical
Steadiness - even tempered
What is reliability
the consistency of a measure through time, across contexts or across raters/observers
How could you measure cognition in animals
Physiological measures - examine the brain (Electroencephalograph)
behavioural measures - operant conditioning to determine if animals can distinguish between individuals
What natural conditions break bonds
Death
Loss or separation of a youngster
Leaving of natal group
weaning
What is a state? A trait? a Type?
State = a response to a given situation - afraid, excited, or curious
Trait = State observed in variety of situations - fearful, excitable
type = combinations of traits that makes up an individuals character
What is the five factor model
Openness
Neuroticism
Agreeableness
Extraversion
Conscientiousness
What affects social behaviour and communication between humans and farm animals
Is the relationship just predator vs prey
Is it close contact like companion animals
is there dominance within the animal kingdom, or do humans dominate
Is there communication between animals and humans
Recognition of individual people
What factors are involved in social learning
Social status
relationship
age effect
environment
demonstrator and species
demonstrator and influencing preferences
demonstrator and refining skills
How are bonds broken under farm conditions
Livestock have no choice in separation
Weaning is 24 hours in dairy, or 4-6 months in beef cattle
sale
division of group numbers
Temporary divisions - breeding, health checks, foot care, horseback riding, grooming
slaughter
removal of sick animals
How can we influence personality traits
Genetic selection
Management - train animals
What are the types of observer ratings
Subjective assessment - used in zoos, and some farm animal welfare assessments = behaviour states are tense, afraid, relaxed, excited, curious
Subjective scores - chute test
What do cattle need for recognition
Vision
Dominance among cattle - controlled by smell
Control of food source - vision and smell
Maternal recognition - vision and smell
Human identification - vision = clothing and head visual cues
How can social bonds impact physiology
Reductions in heart rate
Endorphin release - rewards neural circuits to reduce stress
reduction in cortisol, noradrenaline
Improved immune functioning via cort or oxytocin
What are the physiological consequences of broken bonds
Separation distress can cause permanent effects - Changes in CRH gene expression, higher levels of CRH, Proliferation of the CRH receptors, HPA axis becomes more sensitive
Immune function is impacted
dominance hierarchy's are reestablished
Stereotypies - belly nosing, cross suckling
What do you need to know before selection for behaviour traits
Heritability of each trait
Genetic variation
Association between traits
What are the types of behavioural tests
Response to environmental challenges - social isolation, handling, novel object, food and social competition
Aggression - resident intruder test
General fearfulness - open field test in rodents, tonic immobility in poultry, fearfulness towards novel stimuli, fearfulness towards humans
What do sheep use for recognition
Can recognize photos - visual animals
Mother and lamb = acoustic recognition
May recognize facial features of humans