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551-0635-00L 2 Credits

Evolution of Behavior

Evolution des Verhaltens

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Peter Brauchli
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 14:59:31

Abstract

This lecture deals with the evolution of behavior. Evolutionary innovations are after-drawn as interactive system processes. Main topics are: Emergence of the nervous systems with a focus on the vertebrates, behavior genetics, learning, communication, behavior among conspecifics, cultural evolution, hominisation and evolutionary bases of human behavior.

Objective

The aim of the lecture is to describe how behavior evolved and to show the variety of behavior of living organisms.

Content

The lecture has an ethological background. However findings from other disciplines are as well included. The following definition of behavior is the cornerstone for this lecture: "under behavior of an animal the following activities are subsumed: movements, sound expressions and posture, furthermore all learning activities, as well as those changes, which can serve the mutual communication (after Immelmann). Basics The first part of the lecture offers an introduction into the terms behavior, phylogeny and paleobiology. The biological evolution is presented with its most important milestones. Evolution of the nervous systems and behavior capacity In the second part the evolution of behavior and the structures involved step into the focus. Evolutionary innovations are to be understood as part of a complex system. Changes happen in mutual dependence between the function (the behavior) and the structures involved (e.g. the nervous systems), while the respective environmental conditions set the limits. The description is started with single-celled organisms. Afterwards some sights into the nervous systems and the behavior capacities of invertebrates (insects, cephalopods) follows. The main focus is on the nervous system of vertebrates. The respective system conditions are outlined for the emergence of the first vertebrates, the first mammals and the first primates. The sensory and the motor capacities are discussed, which were owned by the living vertebrates, reptiles, mammals and primates. This part closes with a description of the neurobiological bases of the unique achievements of humans (e.g. language, motor and visual capacities). In several chapters further basics for behavior are highlighted, e.g. hormones and behaviors, genes and behavior, learning, communication with conspecifics and biological regulation of behavior and cultural evolution. Hominisation In the fourth part, the human being (Homo sapiens sapiens) enters the focus. The lead question is, how today's humans developed and which anatomical changes accumulated. The family tree of the hominids is presented. The emergence of the Homo sapiens is highlighted on the basis of current theories. The co-evolution between biological and cultural evolution is highlighted, since mainly this process made us to the species, we are today. The biological basis of behavior of all humans is being introduced. Those behaviors that are unique to humankind are being mentioned. Finally a chapter introduces self-consciousness and the human consciousness, which are often conceived as the highest achievement of the human brain. The future of evolution In the fifth part finally different future scenarios are presented.

Resources

Lecture Notes

A script in German is distributed in the first lecture.

Literature

Eibl-Eibesfeldt, I. (1999) Grundriss der vergleichenden Verhaltensforschung. Ethologie. Piper, München. Ewert, J.P. (1998) Neurobiologie des Verhaltens. Hans Huber, Bern. Hall, M., Halliday, T. (1998) (Eds.) Behaviour and evolution. Biology: brain & behaviour; book 1. Springer, Berlin. Kolb, B., Whishaw, J.Q. (1996) Neuropsychologie (2. Auflage). Spektrum Verlag, Heidelberg, Berlin. Lewin, R. (1995) Die Herkunft des Menschen, 200'000 Jahre Evolution. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg. McFarland, D. (1999) Biologie des Verhaltens (2. Auflage). Evolution, Physiologie, Psychobiologie. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg. Pinel, J.P.J. (1997) Biopsychologie. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg. Roth, G., Wullimann, M.F. (Eds). (2001) Brain Evolution and Cognition, Wiley and Spektrum, New York, Heidelberg. Slater, P.J.B. (1999) Essentials of Animal Behaviour. Studies in Biology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

General Information

Language
German
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Evolution des Verhaltens
  • Mon 13:15-15:00 (HG D 5.1)
2 h weekly

Offered In