Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Ethological approach to motivation mainly explains
(A) biological aspects of behaviour.
(B) evolutionary history of behaviour.
(C) causation of behaviour in terms of stimulus, hormonal and neurobiological events.
(D) proximal determinants of behaviour.

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (A), (B) and (C) only.
The ethological approach to motivation, developed by Konrad Lorenz, primarily focuses on the biological and evolutionary aspects of behaviour.
(A) The approach explains biological aspects of behaviour, such as innate behaviours that are influenced by genetic factors and evolved through natural selection.
(B) It also emphasizes the evolutionary history of behaviour, suggesting that behaviours are adaptive responses shaped by evolutionary pressures to ensure survival and reproduction.
(C) The ethological approach looks at the causation of behaviour in terms of stimuli, hormonal, and neurobiological events. It focuses on how specific stimuli trigger behaviours, with an emphasis on how biological systems drive action.
(D) Proximal determinants of behaviour are more concerned with immediate environmental factors influencing behaviour and are not the central focus of ethological theory.

Information Booster
1. Konrad Lorenz and Ethology: Ethology is the study of animal behaviour in natural environments. Lorenz’s research on instinctual behaviour in animals laid the foundation for understanding innate motivational systems.
2. Innate Behaviour: Ethology explains innate behaviour patterns that are genetically programmed and automatic. These include fixed action patterns (FAPs) that are unlearned, highly stereotyped behaviours triggered by specific stimuli.
3. Evolutionary Perspective: According to the ethological approach, behaviours are shaped by their adaptive value to survival and reproduction. These behaviours have been shaped by evolutionary processes over time.
4. Imprinting: A key concept in ethology, imprinting describes the rapid learning that occurs in a critical period after birth, influencing social bonding and behaviour.
5. Role of Hormones and Neurobiology: The ethological approach emphasizes the role of hormones and neurobiological events in motivating behaviour. For example, hormones like oxytocin play a crucial role in bonding and caregiving behaviours.
6. Comparative Studies: Ethologists often conduct comparative studies across different species to understand the biological and evolutionary basis of behaviour, comparing how similar behaviours have evolved in different contexts.

Additional Information
(D) Proximal determinants of behaviour: This refers to immediate, situational influences on behaviour, such as specific environmental cues, social interactions, or current states of need. While important in other psychological theories, proximal determinants are less emphasized in ethology, which focuses more on biological and evolutionary explanations of behaviour.