Podcast Summary
The Complexity of Instinct in Animals: Instinct is more complex than just genetically hard-coded behavior and involves development and learning. Don't limit scientific exploration by relying too heavily on the term.
The concept of instinct in animals is not as simple as it may seem. While it's often used to explain complex behaviors without any apparent teaching, scientists like Mark Blumberg argue that it's a misleading term that can hinder further inquiry. Instinct is not just genetically hard-coded but involves development and learning. Its roots can be traced back to religious perspectives on free will and reason. By relying too heavily on the idea of instinct, we may overlook the intricacies of animal behavior and the importance of continued scientific exploration. Instead, we should embrace the curiosity that science inspires and ask the next question.
The complexity of instinct: Instinct is a simplistic label for complex behaviors, and questioning it can lead to new discoveries in animal behavior.
The concept of instinct, which originated from religious ideas about free will and rationality for animals, has significantly shaped the scientific study of animal behavior. However, the simplicity of labeling behaviors as instinctive can limit our understanding of the underlying complex processes. For instance, the discovery of imprinting in birds, where young animals form a connection to their first caregiver, was initially thought to be a simple switch that gets turned on. But it is now known to be a multistep process involving both a predisposition and learning. Researchers like Gilbert Gottlieb, who studied the auditory aspects of imprinting, went beyond accepting instinctive explanations and instead asked why chicks are attracted to their mother's call. Through experiments, he discovered that chicks vocalize inside their eggs and that these vocalizations play a role in their attraction to their mother's call. Without questioning the instinctive label, these groundbreaking discoveries may never have been made.
Instincts can be influenced by experience and environment: Instincts are not solely determined by genes, as development and environment play a crucial role in their emergence and expression.
Instincts, which we often think of as innate and genetically determined behaviors, can be influenced by experience and the environment. The example of the writing reflex in rats, which is the ability to right themselves when on their back, was used to illustrate this point. Rats naturally flip over when born, but when rats are gestated in space, they lack this reflex. This demonstrates that the development of behaviors can be shaped by the environment, and genes are not the only factor. Furthermore, the environment plays a crucial role in the development of species-typical behaviors, as seen in the example of beavers and their dam-building abilities. The environment provides essential resources and sets the stage for the emergence of complex behaviors. Therefore, it is essential to consider the broader context of genes and the environment in understanding the development of behaviors and traits.
Challenging the Instinctual Nature of Complex Behaviors: Squirrels digging in cages and cowbirds identifying their species challenge the assumption that complex behaviors are solely instinctual, suggesting a combination of genetic and environmental influences.
The development of complex behaviors in animals is a complex issue that should not be easily dismissed as being solely determined by instinct. The example of squirrels digging in cages, despite never encountering dirt, challenges the assumption that such behaviors are hard-wired and instinctual. Similarly, the ability of cowbirds to identify their species has been assumed to be instinctual, but research has shown that it may be learned through interactions with other birds. These examples highlight the importance of careful investigation and consideration of alternative explanations, rather than jumping to conclusions based on limited information. The development of complex behaviors is likely influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and further research is needed to fully understand these intricacies.
Being clear and accurate about behavior development: Avoid using misleading terms like 'innate behavior' in scientific research to ensure accurate understanding and avoid repeating harmful ideologies
The use of the term "innate behavior" in scientific research can be misleading and potentially harmful. Some scientists use this term to make their work sound more important, but it can lead to a lack of understanding about the true nature of the behavior they're studying. This can have serious implications, as it was used in the past to promote harmful ideologies like eugenics. It's important for scientists to be honest and clear about their research, especially when it comes to complex and subtle developmental processes. The use of the term "innate behavior" can create confusion and make it difficult to think critically about how behaviors develop. Instead, scientists should focus on providing clear and accurate descriptions of the behaviors they're studying and the processes that shape them. This will lead to a better understanding of the world and help us avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
The combination of nature and nurture shapes our abilities: Nature provides potential, nurture develops skills; both important for learning and development
Our abilities, such as drinking water, are not solely determined by nature or nurture, but rather by the combination of both. An interesting study on rats showed that if they were not exposed to water while learning to eat as babies, they had difficulty figuring out how to drink later on. This illustrates how important it is to acquire necessary skills through experience, even for something as instinctive as drinking. Moreover, the study of animals with atypical bodies, like humans born with shortened legs, shows that we all learn to adapt and use our bodies in the best way possible given our circumstances. This further highlights the importance of both nature and nurture in shaping our abilities and behaviors. It's important to remember that nature provides us with the potential, while nurture helps us develop and utilize that potential. By recognizing the interconnectedness of nature and nurture, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of learning and development.
The impact of labeling on research and recognition: Using terms like instinct or innateness in science can have significant implications for research direction and recognition in the scientific community, requiring careful consideration of historical context and potential biases.
The debate over using terms like instinct or innateness in science is not just a semantic issue. It can have significant implications for how research is conducted and who receives recognition in the scientific community. The speaker, a developmental biologist, argues that avoiding these terms allows for more thoughtful and nuanced questions about behavior and development. However, using these terms could also open up new avenues of inquiry. The historical context of this debate is also important to note, as it has been linked to controversial ideologies like eugenics. Ultimately, the way we label phenomena can impact the resources and recognition given to researchers, and it's crucial to be mindful of this influence. For instance, the assumption that twitching in animals during sleep is just a byproduct of dreams led to a lack of research in this area, but now we know that twitching serves important functions.
Questioning assumptions in animal behavior research: Assumptions about animal behaviors can limit our understanding. Dr. Mark Solms' research challenged the notion that twitches during sleep are mere byproducts of dreams, leading to significant discoveries about brain development.
Assumptions about the nature of animal behaviors, such as twitches during sleep being mere byproducts of dreams, can limit our understanding of complex biological processes. Dr. Mark Solms' research on this topic challenged the common assumption and led to significant discoveries about the role of these twitches in brain development. This reminder to question assumptions and explore complexities in biology is crucial, as nothing is as simple as it seems in the realm of animal behavior. Keep an open mind, continue to be curious, and delve deeper into the intricacies of life. For more insights from Dr. Solms, check out his books "Basic Instinct" and "Freaks of Nature," or read his paper "Development Evolving, The Origins and Meanings of Instinct." If you have thoughts or ideas for the show, email unexplainable@vox.com. Remember, the mysteries of the natural world are worth exploring.
