Reaction chain
Reaction chain (often also chain of action ) is a technical term of the instinct theory of classical comparative behavioral research (ethology) worked out primarily by Konrad Lorenz and Nikolaas Tinbergen . It describes a sequence of key stimuli and the genetically determined instinctual movements that they cause . The instinctive movement following a first key stimulus is interpreted in the context of this theory as a new (second) key stimulus, which is followed by a second instinctive movement, which in turn is interpreted as the third key stimulus, which leads to a third instinctive movement. The respective instinctive movement is interpreted as the final act of the event initiated by the key stimulus , which in turn is defined by the fact that "its implementation leads to a cessation of the appetite behavior ."
Such chains of reactions, which always proceed in the same way, have been described above all in connection with courtship and ritualized fights. Here a certain behavior of one partner or opponent is often interpreted as a trigger (key stimulus) for a second behavior of the other partner (opponent), which is followed by a third behavior of the first partner (opponent).
In Grzimek's Animal Life , George Barlow also refers to a case study by Robert Hinde , who described the behavior of a male whose path to a bitch in heat and thus to the end story is blocked by a fence: “For example, if a dog climbs over a fence, it is Overcoming this obstacle an appetite behavior to reach the bitch. Being together with the bitch is in turn just an appetite for the first step in a long chain of behavior that ultimately leads to mating. ”Here the term reaction chain is also applied to the sequence of behaviors in a single individual. Such a decomposition of behavioral processes based on (internal) states of motivation is, however, less objectifiable than the decomposition of reaction chains that are controlled by (external) key stimuli and is therefore considered controversial.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Representation of a double chain of reactions using the example of male and female three-spined sticklebacks . On: biologie-online.eu , last viewed on October 31, 2019.
- ↑ Hanna-Maria Zippelius : The measured theory. A critical examination of the instinct theory of Konrad Lorenz and behavioral research practice. Vieweg, Braunschweig 1992, p. 19, ISBN 3-528-06458-7 .
- ↑ Keyword chain of action in: Klaus Immelmann : Grzimeks Tierleben , supplementary volume behavior research. Kindler Verlag, Zurich 1974, p. 627.
- ↑ George Barlow : Questions and Concepts of Ethology. In: Klaus Immelmann: Grzimeks Tierleben, supplementary volume behavior research. Kindler Verlag, Zurich 1974, p. 208