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Author Topic:   Evolution of Behavior
wnope
Inactive Member


Message 22 of 39 (209210)
05-17-2005 11:15 PM


Dawkins approach
I personally tend to side with Dawkins view on this.
While Genes can influence behavior to a certain extent, there is very little Genetic determinism, especially in humans. Humanity is interesting because we can actually rebel against what might be considered beneficial actions (every time we use a condom, we're rebelling against the impulse to procreate).
An example of how Genes influence is that genetics can alter how influential parents are at different stages. Certain birds are able to learn to mimic the call of their mother from a very early age. This is known as learned behavior. The actual call is not imprinted in the birds genetics, but the ability to learn the call is.
Similiar instances occur with imprinted behavior, behavior learned at a very young age that is usually irreversible. For instance, some newborn ducks immediately equate the first organism they see as their mother. Because this occurs at birth, it must be genetic.

  
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