On the Fitness of Behavior Sequences

Abstract

Observations from ecological studies of the animal''s environment and estimates of the consequences of its behavior are used to produce an adequate state-variable description of the behavior in particular situations and to discover roughly the dependence of cost on these variables. A hypothesis about the cost function is formulated on the assumption that behavior is optimal. Observations were taken to indicate the plausibility of a quadratic cost function. The hypothesized cost function is used in optimality computations to predict sequences of behavior that should occur under the observed circumstances and conditions. The predicted behavior sequences are compared with those observed in the natural, or laboratory situation. The discrepancy between predicted and observed behavior sequences is used to reformulate the cost function, redefine the constraints, etc., so that a new model emerges. This approach embodies the normal scientific procedure of hypothesis, prediction and test. The approach may be useful in analyzing the form and the function of the behavioral strategies of individual animals. The form of the strategy is embodied in decision rules. The function, or survival value, of the strategy can be expressed in terms of a cost function or in terms of its contribution to fitness.