The Relationship Between Humans and Animals

Resource: Understanding Psychology text book Copyrighted in 1995, 1992 by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Humans are a complex creature who, to some individuals, are unpredictable. It is believed that humans evolved from more primitive animal origins by scientists. People like to study the nature of the behavior of their fellow human-beings. However, due to medical issues and such we do not tend to do direct studies on humans. We do social studies on animals because it appears to be linked and similar to human studies, so it is quite helpful.
Evolution, some think it pertains to more than just anatomy and physiology. Some scientist and people have come to think evolution can apply to behavior, as well. Charles Darwin proposed that all animal species are related to one another. Implying that humans are in a sense animals and can be related to the less complex. Though qualities may be unique, it does not mean that there is a lack of similarities.
The study of natural behavior patterns of all species is known as ‘Ethology’. Natural behavior patterns are known as species-specific behaviors. More primitive animals [ie: insects, fish, and reptiles] are less flexible, or more stereotyped, with their patterns than the more complex animals. There is a thing called “Fixed action patterns” and what this is is almost like instinct, it is a behavior pattern that are inborn to the animal rather than learned. Special sensitivities can be born to an animal due to certain cues of their environment. Though fixed action patterns are less powerful and less noticed in humans and other complex animals they are still present.
Sociobiology studies the heredity basis of social behavior in animals and humans. We have learned many species have the maternal instincts and that it’s common for males to be more dominant than females. Sociobiology seeks to explain other social behaviors exerted in species. No hard evidence has been proven to show it can just come from genetics, so perhaps some is learned. We do see that men are more aggressive and dominant than females are. Evolution takes place slowly, some say, so we very well could still be inheriting social behaviors from times long ago such as the prehistoric times. A controversy lies on whether or not the patterns be followed and how natural selection takes place and the hunt just to survive.
Personally, I feel I have inherited social behaviors from my parents because I act so similar to my dad and it affects me because some of those behaviors lead me to clash with my mother. So, I do think social behaviors can be passed down through genetics. However, I also display behaviors that neither of my parents pertain. Leading me to believe that some can be learned. The relationship between humans and animals to me is high. I think we are closely related to how animals behave except our brains are more developed and we use different parts to help us better express ourselves and act out a bit differently.