Purpose- Dr. Jessica Yorzinski conducted an experiment with the peafowl because of how they use elaborate techniques to win a mate. She wanted to understand how the male birds compete against each other. What do these birds look for when threatened by others? Overall, she wants to determine how they evaluate each other through their eyes.

Concepts: This article reminded me of what we learned in chapter 1 about behaviorism. Behaviorism is the study of why we behave a certain way. Which according to John Watson our behavior is a direct result of learning. We respond to stimuli in our environment consequently lading to a certain action influenced by our surroundings. This theory goes for animals too therefore, tying in with Dr. Yorzinski’s research about behavioral traits that the peafowl exhibits during mating season. 

 

Assumptions: As I read through this article I learned that it is not just the female observing the male Peacock’s but, the males are observing each other too. I always assumed that the females were the only ones who put a meticulous eye on the males to determine their mate. Never had I thought that the males analyzed each other and had a close eye on their competition. Or that a male sometimes specifically courted a female peacock to mate with. My thoughts were always that males just showed off their beauty and whatever female was attracted got him. I was surprised to learn of this behavior like that of humans portrayed by birds. 

 

Implications: Because of this study we can give back up to the behaviorist’s theory. The Peacock’s respond to their competition (respond to stimuli in their environment) and work on whatever is lacking from them in contrast to other male competitors. The birds have over time adapted to only focus on great competition to avoid energy related injuries or predators due to the lack of attention being paid. This peculiar way of birds could be expanded over to other species maybe in fact to humans to have a deeper insight on how we compete and why our behavior functions a certain way.

 

Questions: As I conclude the reading of this text I am left wondering if it could possibly reach to a human extent? Is this behavior only common in male birds? Do female birds not compete amongst each other? How can a camera capture all this information? How is this contributing to furthering our society? Can this study be held for in a prison to determine why prisoners have done some of their crimes? 

 

Texas A&M AgriLife Communications. (2017, March 16). Animal behaviorist looks through the eyes of peafowl: Study finds beauty in the eye of the beholder... and rivalry. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 9, 2017 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170316151653.htm

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170316151653.htm