Term
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Definition
| A behavior is anything an animal does involving an action and/or a response to a stimulus. |
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Term
| Animals behave in certain ways for which 4 reasons. |
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Definition
Animal behave in certain ways to
1) find food and water
2) interact with social groups
3) avoid predators
4) reproduce |
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Term
| Why is it important not to be anthropomorphic (humanlike characteristics) when discussing animal behaviors? |
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Definition
| We have no way of knowing for sure why an animal is doing something so it is important not to connect humanlike characteristics to animals. |
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Term
| How do scientists define learning? |
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Definition
| Scientists define learning as a relatively permanent change in behaviors a result of experience. |
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Term
| What determines the types of behaviors that are possible for an animal to learn? |
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Definition
| An animal's genetic makeup and body structure determine what kinds of behaviors an animal can learn. An animal can only learn what they are physically capable of doing. |
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Term
| Define operant conditioning. |
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Definition
| In operant conditioning the behavior is conditioned by the consequences that follow the behavior. That is, a behavior will happen either more or less often depending on its results. |
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Term
| What are the ABC's of training? |
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Definition
A - Antecedent
B - Behavior
C - Consequence |
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Term
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Definition
| A reinforcer is a response that follows a behavior. |
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Term
| What is the difference between a primary and secondary reinforcer? |
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Definition
| Primary reinforcers are anything the animal needs to survive and is inherently positive (food, shelter, socialization). Secondary reinforcers are everything else and often the animal needs to be trained to enjoy. |
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Term
| Define Discrimination as it relates to Animal Training. |
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Definition
| Discrimination is the learned ability to react differently to different stimuli. |
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Term
| Define Shaping as it relates to Animal Training. |
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Definition
| Shaping is the step by step learning of a behavior that cannot be learned all at once. |
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Term
| Define Approximation as it relates to Animal Training. |
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Definition
| Approximation is each step in the learning process. |
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Term
| Define Extinction as it relates to Animal Training. |
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Definition
| Extinction is the elimination of a behavior by not reinforcing it. |
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Term
| Define Observational Learning as it relates to Animal Training. |
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Definition
| Observational Learning is learning by watching others. Observational learning can occur without outside reinforcement. |
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Term
| What are the 3 parts to SeaWorld's animal training philosophy. |
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Definition
SeaWorld has a 3 part animal treining philosophy:
1. Trainers create an environment that is fun, interesting and stimulating for the animals.
2. Trainers reinforce desirable behavior with a variety of rewards, and work not to draw attention to the undesirable behavior.
3. Trainers build strong and rewarding relationships with animals, based on a history of positive and stimulating interaction. |
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Term
| Describe Learning Sessions as they contribute to the enrichment and well being of our animals. |
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Definition
| Learning sessions involve a formal training process for the animals, in which trainers condition specific behaviors. |
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Term
| Describe Exercise Sessions as they contribute to the enrichment and well being of our animals. |
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Definition
| Exercise sessions of high energy behaviors are used in succession to work on the physical fitness of the animal. |
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Term
| Describe Relationship Sessions as they contribute to the enrichment and well being of our animals. |
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Definition
| Relationship sessions allow time for a trainer and animal to develop mutual trust, which enhances the degree of learning. |
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Term
| Describe Play Sessions as they contribute to the enrichment and well being of our animals. |
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Definition
| Play sessions provide time in the day when trainers and animals interact with "games" and "toys" which creates an enriching environment. |
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Term
| Describe Husbandry Sessions as they contribute to the enrichment and well being of our animals. |
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Definition
| Husbandry sessions are very important for the day-to-day health care of the animals such as check-ups, medical procedures etc. |
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Term
| Describe Shows as they contribute to the enrichment and well being of our animals. |
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Definition
| Shows provide an opportunity for SWBG to educate the public about the behavior, physiology and ecology of numerous animals. |
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Term
| Describe Gate Sessions as they contribute to the enrichment and well being of our animals. |
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Definition
| Gate sessions are when the animals are moved between pools through gates as well as having animals stay under control when the gate is opened and closed. |
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Term
| Describe Feeding Sessions as they contribute to the enrichment and well being of our animals. |
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Definition
| Feeding session are simply when the animals are fed. |
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Term
| What is environmental enrichment? |
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Definition
| Environmental enrichment is creating a complex and stimulating environment with lots of variety. For example,creating changes in an animal's daily activities. Animal are provided with activities they seem to find interesting and stimulating, including play sessions with trainers and other animals. |
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Term
| Give several examples of environment enrichment devices used here at the park. |
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Definition
| Some of the environmental enrichment devices used here at the park are large plastic buckets, large plastic hoops. large ice blocks, mirrors(Peepers the Speckled Mousebird)and cardboard boxes (Susie the Cockatoo), and strap webbing from car washes(dolphins) |
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Term
| Explain Variable Ratio (VRrv) in animal training. |
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Definition
| Trained behaviors are maintained on a VARIABLE RATIO reinforcement schedule. Animals are not automatically reinforced after each behavior. They do a number of behaviors before they are reinforced. |
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Term
| What is the Least Reinforcing Scenerio (LRS)? |
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Definition
| LSR is a training technique used when an animal does not respond or responds with an incorrect behavior. |
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Term
| Describe the 2 parts of Least Reinforcing Scenario (LRS). |
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Definition
The 2 parts of LRS are
1) Consequence for incorrect behavior. This occurs when the trainer does not reinforce the incorrect behavior.
2. A stimulus providing an opportunity for reward. For 2 or 3 seconds the trainer is relaxed and attempts no change in environment. This brief time period is a stimulus provides a new opportunity for reward. Following an LSR the animal is reinforced for calm attentive behavior. The animal may also receive an opportunity to perform another behavior that will result in reinforcement. |
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Term
| Why is building a positive relationship with the animals so important? |
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Definition
| Building a positive relationship is the key to successful training. |
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Term
| What are the 3 basic building blocks of how animals are trained at SeaWorld? |
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Definition
| Reinforcement, Communication and Target Recognition are the Building Blocks of how animals are trained at SeaWorld. |
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Term
| How does a trainer communicate to the animal when they perform correctly? |
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Definition
| To communicate to the animal that they have performed correctly, the trainer uses a bridge signal - to bridge the gap in time between the behavior and the reinforcer. |
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Term
| What are some types of bridge signals? |
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Definition
| Bridge signals can be a whistle, a light touch or a verbal signal such as "good", "okay", or "nice". |
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Term
| Describe the steps used to train an animal to follow a target. |
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Definition
| 1. the trainer teaches the animal to target by touching the target gently to the animal. Bridge is sounded and the animal is reinforced. This is repeated several times. 2. the next step is to position the target a few inches away from the animal. The trainer waits for the animal touch the target. Gets bridged and reinforced. 3. After several successful repetitions, the target is moved still further away. Each time the animal touches the target, Eventually the animal will follow the target. The target may then be used to lead the animal through a series of steps to gradually perform complex behaviors. |
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Term
| Why is desensitization important in animal training? |
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Definition
| Desensitization is important to help an animal learn and accept unusual or unexpected changes in their environment. |
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Term
| Describe some scenarios where desensitization is vital to the success of the animal. |
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Definition
| Desensitization is important because various aspects of shows can be very distracting: other animals on stage, one than one trainer, applause from the audience, loud voices, music over sound system. Animals learn to ignore these distractions and are reinforced for calmly responding to changes in the environment. Desensitization is essential to animal health care and husbandry. Animal are trained to calmly respond to the veterinarian's touch and medical equipment. Animals are trained to allow touching of the tail flukes to eventually allow for blood draws through the reinforcing calm responses. |
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Term
| Explain the benefits of training in terms of Educational value. |
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Definition
| The educational value that training provides is the ability to observe and learn directly from live animals directly increasing public awareness and appreciation of wildlife. |
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Term
| Explain the benefits training in terms of Husbandry and Care. |
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Definition
| Training benefits Husbandry and Care by helping veterinarians, animal care specialists, trainers and keepers to perform medical examinations more easily and with less stress to the animal. |
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Term
| Explain the benefits of training in terms of Breeding. |
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Definition
| Training provides breeding benefits by allowing the close monitoring of the health of pregnant animals which is key to healthy animals and a healthy genetically diverse population. |
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Term
| Explain the benefits training in terms of Research. |
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Definition
| By training animals to respond to a variety of stimuli in their environment, researchers can gather scientific data that would not otherwise be available. |
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Term
| Explain the benefits training in terms of Physical and Mental Stimulation. |
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Definition
| The physical and mental stimulation provided in the training, play, exercise, relationship, show sessions keep the animals healthy and active. |
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Term
| What are the background requirements for being a trainer at SeaWorld? |
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Definition
| Animal trainers at Seaworld are required to be 18 years old with a HS diploma. Some course work in animal related sciences such as Animal Husbandry, Zoology, Biology, Animal Science and Psychology etc. but a college degree is not required but is preferred. The best background experience is working with animals especially large animals. Strong swimming skills and in some positions a SCUBA certification. Since trainer perform and speak in front of audiences, Strong communication skills and experience in public speaking or drama are desirable. |
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Term
| List a few other examples of career opportunities working with animals. |
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Definition
Other opportunities to work with animals include:
Veterinary medicine,
Animal Husbandry,
Marine Wildlife research,
Education, and
Wildlife management and research. |
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Term
| What is a positive reinforcer? |
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Definition
| A positive reinforcer is a response that strengthens the behavior. |
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Term
| How is it operant conditioning different from classical conditioning? |
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Definition
| Unlike classical conditioning, in operant conditioning the response requires thought and an action. The response is followed by a reinforcer or consequence. |
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Term
| How does the LRS system reduce frustration that might result from lack of reinforcement. |
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Definition
| When LSR is used consistently it can decrease undesired behavior and increase calm and attentive behavior. LSR helps reduce frustration that might result from the lack of reinforcement. It teaches the animal to respond without aggression. |
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Term
| When is the best time to communicate to an animal that they have performed correctly in order to be effective? |
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Definition
| The best time to communicate to an animal that they have performed correctly is immediately following the behavior. |
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Term
| Explain Reinforcement Variety (vrRV) in animal training. |
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Definition
| A variety of interesting, stimulating reinforcers is essential to successful training. This prevents boredom, lack of motivation, frustration and aggression. |
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