There are some fun sequences on this current BBC natural history series but I think the central premise is simply wrong (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bc6gdp). The animals appear to be being judged on human grounds being labelled as 'sneaky', 'thieving', 'two timing' et cetera but behaviour is how animals gain flexibility to effectively exploit what their environment throws up to them. Behaviour is mostly adaptive i.e. it is intended to give the animal an 'edge' over its competitors (with the toughest competitors generally being its own species as they have the same requirements) and other foes. The animals 'behaving badly' are, in my view, behaving successfully in ways that can be tagged with a negative label (what Psychologists, although I am a Biologist, call 'negative apperception').
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Monday, 30 July 2018
Animals Behaving Badly- A Misnomer?
There are some fun sequences on this current BBC natural history series but I think the central premise is simply wrong (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bc6gdp). The animals appear to be being judged on human grounds being labelled as 'sneaky', 'thieving', 'two timing' et cetera but behaviour is how animals gain flexibility to effectively exploit what their environment throws up to them. Behaviour is mostly adaptive i.e. it is intended to give the animal an 'edge' over its competitors (with the toughest competitors generally being its own species as they have the same requirements) and other foes. The animals 'behaving badly' are, in my view, behaving successfully in ways that can be tagged with a negative label (what Psychologists, although I am a Biologist, call 'negative apperception').
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