Abstract
In the course of evolution organisms have been adapted to a species-specific part of their environment. This part, their Umwelt, is continuously on the move; it is not only transformed during a lifetime, but it also changes from hour to hour and from day to day. All these shifts and changes are mainly non random. Vertebrates respond, influence and anticipate most of these Umwelt-changes by performing both fixed (routines), and flexible, behaviours. The organism is in a continuous interactional state with its dynamic Umwelt. Three processes underlying and shaping this interactional state are discussed: 1) ontogenetic processes (like imprinting) and their relevance for adult behaviour 2) learning or the capability to associate causally related events (conditioning and operant learning) and 3) constraints in adaptation (the need to perform species-specific behaviour programs). Most if not all of these behaviour programs are parts of regulatory systems that serve the control of relevant Umwelt measures. Such programs are like scenarios that include their own expectancies. During acute and chronic stress, expectancies are not fulfilled; there is a reduced predictability and/or controllability of relevant Umwelt changes. Stress results from uncertainties experienced during and inherent in a given interactional state. The amount of stress can be measured in terms of changes in transitional probabilities of successive events. During acute stress, conflict behaviours (e.g. redirected, ambivalent and displacement activities) arise, whereas chronic stress brings about disturbed behaviour (stereotypies, injurious activities etc.) The significance of individual differences in coping is discussed briefly. It is argued that all Vertebrates have homologous emotions that play a critical role in shaping behaviour programs. Long-lasting negative emotions occur during chronic stress and characterize disturbed welfare.
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© 1987 ECSC, EEC, EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg
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Wiepkema, P.R. (1987). Behavioural Aspects of Stress. In: Wiepkema, P.R., Van Adrichem, P.W.M. (eds) Biology of Stress in Farm Animals: An Integrative Approach. Current Topics in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, vol 42. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3339-2_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3339-2_9
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