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Introduction to Stereotypic Behaviour.

In the small chapters below I have deliberately not named one single reference, except a few in recent notes made in 2006. The material stems from my final lecture as graduate student (1998) and the content is naturally based on numerous publications from researchers in the fields. However, given the small progress in the field of stereotypic behaviour these past years, I unfortunately still consider these chapters, including a few updates here and there, to provide an all right overview over the state of matters regarding stereotypic behaviour in a glimpse.

 

1: Definition of Stereotypic Behaviour.

2: Reasons to be interested in Stereotypies.

3: The Heterogeneity within stereotypies.

4: Examples of various stereotypic activities.

5: Mammals, which exhibits spontaneous stereotypes.

6: Conditions under which stereotypes can be elicited.

7: Hypothesis: "Genetically based differences among various stereotypies".

8: Motivational systems.

9: Counter-hypothesis to "Genetically based differences..".

10: Hypothesis: "Stereotypies acts as Reinforcers".

11: Hypothesis: "Stereotypies stems from boredom".

12: The concept of "Arousal".

13: Hypothesis: "The function of Stereotypies is to up-, alternatively down-regulate Arousal".

14: The concept of "Coping". Hypothesis: "Stereotypies is a Coping strategy".

15: Pharmaca-induced Stereotypies.

16: Experiments using amphetamine and neurotoxins.

17: The Stress Reaction.

18: Evidence of genetic control of behaviour.

19: Summing up.

 

Last updated the 4. December 2006