Ethology and DPB

Abstract The natural history orientation to behavioral development is a distinguishing feature of DPB and is clearly represented in Tinbergen’s four questions that can be asked about any behavior or psychological ability. Tinbergen’s questions are: (1) What are the physiological, biomechanical, and environmental processes that govern the immediate expression of the behavior or ability (the Proximate Question)? (2) What does the behavior or ability accomplish for the continued survival or reproductive success of the individual (the Adaptive Question)? (3) How does the ability relate to that of other species (the Phylogenetic Question)? (4) How does the ability develop (the Developmental Question)? Tinbergen warned that the answer to any one question cannot substitute for an answer to another. Each question must receive its own investigation. However, knowledge of the answers to the Developmental Question may be especially important for understanding each of the other three answers.