Available online
Description
This programme illustrates how the concept of goal is applicable to biological systems, in particular to the animal world. Three levels of goal are explored: the supergoal of gene perpetuation, the... goal of survival, eating or drinking, and the subgoal of attaining food & drink. The choice between food and drink is first explored in terms of the costs of alternating between food and drink at different rates. A series of animations are then used to illustrate how the regulation of eating and drinking can be explained in terms of the activity of neurons. The way individual neurons work is described, and this is followed by an explanation of the functioning of a network of neurons which dictate when a rat might eat or drink. The attainment of food - a subgoal - takes different forms for different animals. A variety of clips illustrate the techniques of chasing food, trapping food in situ., and targeting food. The idea of a cognitive map to recall where food is available is illustrated by sequences of a fox and a rat in action. Dr. Richard Dawkins of Oxford University explains that the concept of goal does not mean conscious choice for animals.
This programme illustrates how the concept of goal is applicable to biological systems, in particular to the animal world. Three levels of goal are explored: the supergoal of gene perpetuation, the... goal of survival, eating or drinking, and the subgoal of attaining food & drink. The choice between food and drink is first explored in terms of the costs of alternating between food and drink at different rates. A series of animations are then used to illustrate how the regulation of eating and drinking can be explained in terms of the activity of neurons. The way individual neurons work is described, and this is followed by an explanation of the functioning of a network of neurons which dictate when a rat might eat or drink. The attainment of food - a subgoal - takes different forms for different animals. A variety of clips illustrate the techniques of chasing food, trapping food in situ., and targeting food. The idea of a cognitive map to recall where food is available is illustrated by sequences of a fox and a rat in action. Dr. Richard Dawkins of Oxford University explains that the concept of goal does not mean conscious choice for animals.
| Module code and title: | T241, Systems behaviour |
|---|---|
| Item code: | T241; 07; 1983 |
| First transmission date: | 22-08-1983 |
| Published: | 1983 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:33 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Andrew Millington |
| Contributors: | Richard Dawkins; Richard Morris; F. M.(Frederick M.) Toates |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Biological systems; Cognitive maps |
| Master spool number: | HOU4292 |
| Production number: | FOUT155W |
| Videofinder number: | 2722 |
| Available to public: | no |
