Models of Human Behavior: Talking to the Animals

Inheritance of behavioral characteristics was known to humankind in prehistoric times and likely came about while domesticating animals. In the Middle East, sheep, goats, and pigs were likely tamed between 6000 and 9000 B.C. There is no written record of the early rise of animal husbandry, but rearing and training of animals were known to the ancient Romans. Well-defined breeding techniques for domesticated livestock were underway in England in the 18th century. At the turn of the 19th century, even rats were bred for their variegated coat colors and behavioral peculiarities (Brush &Driscoll). Breeders conserved the desired characteristics and controlled for undesired aspects by repeatedly selecting those preferred features in offspring, mating “like with like” and producing increasingly homogeneous strains.