Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Social behaviour in rabbits'
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1
Sneddon, Ian Alexander. "Aspects of olfaction, social behaviour and ecology of an island population of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)." Thesis, University of St Andrews, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/2823.
Abstract:
Olfactory behaviour in the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has been studied extensively under laboratory and semi-natural conditions. Results of observations on aspects of the olfactory behaviour of a free-living population of rabbits are presented. To facilitate interpretation of these results, considerable preliminary information about the population was collected. The study was conducted over a three year period on the Isle of May off the east coast of Scotland. A total of 326 rabbits were trapped and marked to permit identification in the field, and data on sex, age and social status of these individuals was collated. Data on the overall structure and fluctuations in the population are presented. The social organisation and home ranges of rabbits at four study sites throughout the three years are described. Observations indicate that the social organisation of free-living populations is more complex and variable than previous descriptions of semi-natural populations would have led us to expect. The reproductive performance of the population was investigated and intra and interwarren variations are analysed with respect to warren and group size. Results indicate an inverse relationship between warren size and reproductive success. The most frequently observed group composition (2 males, 2 females) was also the most reproductively successful. Daily and seasonal activity patterns of different age, sex and social status classes of rabbits are described. Olfactory communication was investigated by analysis of the frequency, daily and seasonal variation, and behavioural context of odour related activities performed by members of different age, sex and social status classes. The importance of using appropriate methods for the sampling of behaviour in field studies of olfaction is stressed. The present study concentrates on behaviour related to latrines; chin marking of the substrate and of conspecifics; enurination and urine squirting; and pawscraping. The results suggest that different scent products may carry similar information but analysis of variations in the frequency and context of odour deposition suggests that the deposition of scent fulfills a variety of functions.
2
Hayes, Richard Andrew, of Western Sydney Hawkesbury University, Faculty of Science and Technology, and School of Science. "Semiochemicals and social signalling in the wild European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus(L.)." THESIS_FST_SS_Hayes_R.xml, 2000. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/371.
Abstract:
The European rabbit lives in defined social groups of between two and about twenty individuals. There are distinct social hierarchies within each group. Rabbits are known to scent-mark their environment with secretions from several glands, and the secretion of the submandibular cutaneous gland is strongly correlated with social status. Dominant, male rabbits have a higher secretory activity of the gland, and show much more scent-marking behaviour than do any other individuals within the social group. This study was principally conducted at Hope Farm, Cattai National Park in New South Wales, Australia.The proteinaceous components of the secretion varied between individuals, but the protein profile of an individual did not change over time.It was found that dominant rabbits chin mark preferentially at the entrances to warrens, and at the boundaries of their territory.The work in this study provides new insights into the way that rabbit semiochemical messages work. The difference between the secretion of a subordinate and a dominant rabbit appears to be due to the presence or absence of one compound, 2-phenoxy ethanol. This compound, with known fixative properties, supports the idea that the only difference between dominant and subordinate secretions is whether or not they persist in the environment after marking. Such a mechanism for asserting dominance may be much more common in mammals than is apparent from the published literatureDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
3
Chu, Ling-Ru. "The behavior and social preferences of New Zealand white rabbits /." For electronic version search Digital dissertations database. Restricted to UC campuses. Access is free to UC campus dissertations, 2003. http://uclibs.org/PID/11984.
4
Hayes, Richard Andrew. "Semiochemicals and social signalling in the wild European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.)) /." View thesis View thesis, 2000. http://library.uws.edu.au/adt-NUWS/public/adt-NUWS20030424.112701/index.html.
Abstract:
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, 2000.A thesis presented to the University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, December, 2000. Includes bibliographical references.
5
Noller, Crystal. "The Influence of Social Environment on Plasma Oxytocin Levels in New Zealand White Rabbits." Scholarly Repository, 2011. http://scholarlyrepository.miami.edu/oa_theses/283.
Abstract:
Previous research attests to the relationship between social support and positive health outcomes while linking social isolation or aggression/hostility with negative health outcomes. Several studies examining atherosclerosis with either genetic or behavioral origins, have reported decreased disease severity in socially supportive environments. In order to identify and understand the mechanism responsible for decreased disease, the current study examined physiological differences in New Zealand White rabbits within unstable, stable, and isolated social environments and observed whether functional hormonal changes were apparent over time and as a response to behavior characteristic of these environments. Results indicated that animals within the unstable condition displayed increased agonistic behavior, increased cortisol and epinephrine, decreased body weight, epididymal fat, and retroperitoneal fat, as well as larger spleens. Cortisol values positively correlated with measures of agonistic behavior for all animals, while the reverse relationship was found for affiliative behavior. The novel finding of an increase in oxytocin in animals in the unstable condition within the first ten minutes of pairing that was noticeably distinct from the other two groups suggests that plasma oxytocin levels are related to acute stress. Limitations and interpretations of these findings are discussed. Future work is still needed to help further explain the physiological response to social stress and affiliation and to elucidate the mechanism by which a supportive social environment appears to protect against progression and severity of heart disease.
6
Sunnucks, Paul James. "Social behaviour and neophobia in the European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.)." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 1995. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.309506.
7
Roberts, Susan C. "Sociality in rabbits." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1985. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:c7345d17-d1f7-40c8-911a-ac4477826d1e.
Abstract:
Two populations of rabbits (Oryctolaqus cuniculus) were investigated to see whether polygynous, multi-male groups formed in the absence of large multi-entranced warrens. They did not. Rabbits neither gathered in space nor time. The small warrens were spread out evenly across homogeneous patches and the females were well spaced out. Monogamy, distinguished by a battery of tests, was prevalent, with the more dominant males as 'mate' rabbits. That the polygyny frequently mentioned in the literature was a result of male dominance and female defense was considered. The genetic structure of each population was investigated by taking blood from rabbits and having it analysed electrophoretically and for immunoglobulins. A method for assessing relatedness between groups of pairs of animals was implemented, then validated and developed with Monte Carlo simulations. With the seven polymorphic allele obtained, no non-zero relatedness was found but it was sometimes possible to exclude high relatedness. The bearing of sociality on vigilance during feeding was investigated. Although a rabbit's vigilance decreased as its 'mate' approached, the presence of other rabbits was correlated with increased vigilance. It was concluded that the need for social vigilance outweighed the benefit of 'many eyes' watching for predators. This conclusion was tested by experiment, using stuffed animals as stimuli. Rabbits increased their vigilance during grazing bouts both by increasing the length and frequency of scans. Scans could be short or long: the probability of ending a scan decreased sharply at a certain point; a form of positive feedback. The durations of short 'maintenance' scans were dependent on chewlength (the amount of food in the mouth). This fitted a timesharing definition as supported by experiment. Long scans in response to a visible threat did not involve chewing.
8
Zain, Kamar Khazmi. "Effects of early social environment on physical and behavioural development in the rabbit." Thesis, University of East Anglia, 1988. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.327740.
9
Vitale, Augusto F. "Development of dispersionary and anti-predator behaviour in young wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.)) in sand dunes." Thesis, University of Aberdeen, 1988. http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk/R?func=search-advanced-go&find_code1=WSN&request1=AAIU010242.
Abstract:
Patterns of dispersion of young wild rabbits, in relation to conspecifics and burrows, were studied in a wild population of young rabbits in a sand dune habitat. In general, no significant age-related changes in mean nearest-neighbour distances were observed. Although littermates were closer than expected by chance, young rabbits spent more time on the surface with non-related young than with a mixture of littermates and non-littermates. Nearest-adult distances were very close to those expected by chance. Unrelated young tended to diverge from each other when closer than 1m, but this effect was not observed at greater nearest-young distances. More divergent movements than convergent ones were also observed in the case of different nearest-adult distances. It is suggested that for young rabbits in a sand dune population kin-group cohesion is not an important characteristic of the social system. Young rabbits did not show a close association with their original burrow; from the first week of life on the surface, they used different burrows. No significant age-related changes in the mean distance from different kinds of burrows were observed. The mean distance from the nearest burrow remained always under 3m, but this may have been due largely to the high density of burrows. The apparent freedom of movements of young rabbits between different burrows may be related to the social system of the adults. The frequency of sitting alert increased with age in 1984, but it decreased the following year and predictions about the relationship between vigilance and social behaviour were not confirmed. On the other hand, lying and feeding remained nearly constant with age, but the frequency of lying was higher at less than 1m from the burrow than at greater distances. Both maturation/learning processes and external factors appeared to influence the development of behaviour of young rabbits. The effects of age and experience on anti-predator responses were followed using different models of predators. Baby rabbits showed greater alertness than older individuals. Experienced rabbits, more than inexperienced ones, showed different responses to different stimuli. It is suggested that some form of learning improves the quality of anti-predator responses.
10
Bowles, David Bernard. "Social Capital and Volunteer Behaviour." Thesis, University of East Anglia, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.490399.
Abstract:
The concept ofsocial capital has proved extremely popular, appearing to provide a valuable analytical tool to investigate contemporary social relations, particularly the perceived decline in social and civic engagemenL This thesis compares Robert Putnam's widely acclaimed work on social capital with that ofPierre Bourdieu. Unlike Putnam's 'public good' model, Bourdieu's concept ofsocial capital cannot be considered in isolation from his overall theoretical approach involving economic, cultural, social and symbolic capitals, and the concepts ofhabitus and field. In contrasting these theories a class-based approach is adopted, comparing the activities ofthe volunteers from two similar day centres for older people. Valley is set in an aflluent rural setting, while Northbury is located in a working class town. Participant observation was carried out while working as a volunteer at each of these locations. The participant observation is used to compare the two Centres as case studies and then uses Bourdieu's concepts to explore the differences between them. The comparison is argued to help look at the way social capital, in Bourdieu's formulation, can be a useful heuristic tool when looking at such volunteer behaviour. The implication is that Putnam's more popular version of social capital neglects class differences, ignoring the reality ofliving within classdivided contemporary society. The popularity ofPutnam's thesis lies not in its explanatory power, but rather in its normative call to reinvigorate 'community' through individual civic reengagement. This theoretical position fits very well with a social policy discourse that is keen to play down class differences and encourage individual responsibility for care. Bourdieu's theoretical approach is complex, but it at least provides the tools for a more realistic investigation of social capital, avoiding the sterile Third Way debates of 'community' which neglect the underlying causes ofsocial disconnectedness, particularly class inequalities.
11
Scott-Phillips, Thomas C. "Social evolution of pragmatic behaviour." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/3385.
Abstract:
Pragmatics is the branch of linguistics that addresses the relationship between language and its external environment – in particular the communicative context. Social evolution (or sociobiology) is the branch of the biological sciences that studies the social behaviour of organisms, particularly with respect to the ecological and evolutionary forces with which it must interact. These two disciplines thus share a natural epistemic link, one that is concerned with the relationship between behaviour and the environment. There has, however, historically been no dialogue between them. This thesis attempts to fill that void: it examines pragmatics from the perspective of social evolution theory. Chapter 1 gives a brief introduction to the two fields and their key ideas, and also discusses why an evolutionary understanding of pragmatics is crucial to the study of language origins. In chapter 2 the vexed question of the biological function of language is discussed. Responses are given to the claims, common in the evolutionary linguistics literature, that the processes of exaptation, self‑organisation and cultural transmission provide alternatives to natural selection as a source of design in nature. The intuitive conclusion that the function of language is communication is provisionally supported, subject to a proper definition of communication. Chapter 3 reviews previous definitions and consequently argues for an account predicated on the designedness of signals and responses. This definition is then used to argue that an evolutionarily coherent model of language should recognise the pragmatic realities of ostension and inference and reject the code‑like idealisation that is often used in its place. Chapter 4 observes that this fits the argument that the biological function of language is communication and then addresses the key question faced by all evolved communication systems – that of evolutionary stability. The human capacity to record and remember the past behaviour of others is seen to be critical. Chapter 5 uses the definition of communication from chapter 3 to describe a very general model of evolved communication, and then uses the constraints of that model to argue that Relevance Theory, or at least some theory of pragmatics with a very similar logical structure, must be correct. Chapter 6 then applies the theoretical apparatus constructed in chapters 2 to 5 to a crucial and topical issue in evolutionary linguistics: the emergence of learnt, symbolic communication. It introduces the Embodied Communication Game, an experimental tool whose basic structure is significantly informed by both social evolutionary and, in particular, pragmatic theory. The novelty of the game is that participants must find a way to communicate not just the content that they wish to convey, but also the very fact that a given behaviour is communicative in nature, and this constraint is found to fundamentally influence the type of system that emerges. Chapter 7, which concludes the thesis, recounts and clarifies what it tells us about the origins and evolution of language, and suggests a number of possible avenues for future research.
12
Ibarra, Olivares Rebeca. "Social mechanisms of tax behaviour." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2014. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:2893069a-a2bf-46ff-a769-e9ec4ec58b48.
Abstract:
The main goal of this thesis is to provide a sociologically informed analysis of tax avoidance and tax evasion in contemporary Mexico and Sweden, focusing particular attention on the explanatory role of social networks, social interactions, and positive feedback mechanisms. Two major data sources are used: (1) A panel dataset that includes all persons, 16 years or older, who resided in Stockholm County during at least one of the years 1990 to 2003 (N=1,967,993). The dataset includes detailed information on the socio-demographic characteristics, kinship networks, and criminal offences of these individuals; (2) A random sample of 36,949 firms that appeared in the Mexican Federal Register of Taxpayers for the year 2002. The records of the Mexican Federal Administrative Fiscal Tribunal provided data on all types of tax claims appealed before them during the 2002-2008 period. A variety of approaches and techniques are used such as agent-based simulation models, discrete time event history models, random effect logit models, and hierarchical linear models. These models are used to test different hypotheses related to the role of social networks, social interactions, and positive feedback mechanisms in explaining tax behaviour. There are five major empirical findings. (1) Networks seem to matter for individuals' tax behaviour because exposure to tax crimes of family members appears to increase a person’s likelihood of committing a tax crime. (2) Positive feedback mechanisms appear relevant because if a person commits a tax crime, it seems to increase the likelihood that the person will commit more tax crimes in the future. (3) Positive feedback mechanisms are also important for explaining corporate tax behaviour because a firm that has engaged in legal tax avoidance in the past appears to be more likely to engage in tax avoidance in the future. (4) Network effects are important in the corporate world because exposure to the tax avoidance of other firms increase the propensity of a firm to engage in tax avoidance. (5) Substitution effects between tax evasion and tax avoidance are likely to exist because when tax evasion becomes more prevalent in a firm’s environment, their likelihood of engaging in legal tax avoidance is lowered. The results underscore the importance of a sociological perspective on tax behaviour that takes into account social interactions and positive feedback mechanisms. In order to understand microscopic as well as macroscopic tax evasion patterns, the results presented in this thesis suggest that much more attention must be given to mechanisms through which taxation crimes breed more taxation crimes.
13
Stadler, Sophia. "Child disruptive behaviour problems, problem perception and help-seeking behaviour." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/26942.
Abstract:
Disruptive behaviour problems in early childhood are found to be associated with many negative long-term outcomes, such as antisocial behaviour, adolescent delinquency, and substance abuse (Kellam, Werthamer-Larsson & Dolan (1991), as cited in Butler, 2005:1). Even after adolescence this arises, for, as Vogel (2008:16) states the 'frequency of behavioural problems or challenging behaviour among the youth of today often predicts the size of our future prison population'. These findings clearly highlight the importance of early identification of behavioural problems, adequate preventative intervention (Butler, 2005:1) and the necessity for early intervention to prevent their continuity, since behaviour problems are found to worsen without treatment (Loeber, 1982, cited in Butler, 2005:1). The goal of this study is to gain an understanding of disruptive behaviour in primary school learners. To achieve this goal, the objectives of this are to explore the nature of child disruptive behaviour problems; to explore parents and teachers' problem perception of child disruptive behaviour; to explore the problem threshold of parents and teachers toward child disruptive behaviour; and to explore their help-seeking behaviour. The study's aim, therefore, is to better understand and gain more insight in child disruptive behaviour problems before a threshold is reached by parents and teachers and help is sought from social service professionals. The study uses an exploratory qualitative research design to gain insight into child disruptive behaviour problems, problem perceptions and help-seeking behaviour in the Southern Cape Karoo District in the Western Cape. Child disruptive behaviour patterns were analysed along a three-point continuum (from less severe - 'preventative'; to moderate - 'early intervention'; and most severe - 'statutory') based, on problem perceptions of parents, teachers and social service professionals. In addition, the present study examines parents and teachers' problem thresholds to identify help-seeking behaviour and sources. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants according to appropriation and availability. Parents and teachers were contacted to participate voluntarily in the research from schools in the area - Acacia Primary School, Baartmansfontein Primary School, Buffelsriver Private Primary School and Matjiesfontein Primary School. The social service professionals who participated consisted of social workers, social auxiliary workers and police officials from the Department of Social Development, Child Welfare SA and the South African Police Service. The study consisted of a broad range of child ages and parental ages. Parent participants also included biological and foster parents. Data was gathered by means of a semi-structured interview schedule administered during 24 individual interviews. The schedule is based on information obtained from the literature review relevant to the models and theories selected. Previous research done by Jessica Hankinson in 2009 in America on child psychopathology, parental problem perception, and help-seeking behaviours was used as a reference for creating the data collection tool, since she also focused on child behavioural problems and used similar models in the theories. This tool was created in such a way as to be relevant to the South African context. The findings confirmed the serious nature of child disruptive behaviour amongst primary school learners, including abusive behaviour, assault, bullying, fighting, swearing, theft, criminal involvement, substance abuse, truancy and school dropouts. The participants were found to be able to perceive their child's problem behaviour and to perceive themselves to be competent parents in dealing with disruptive behaviour. Child disruptive behaviour was found to have a significant effect on classroom learning. Despite legislation banning this, the participants still resort to punitive corrective measures. Stigma related to professional services and the privacy of the family are found to be very relevant in help-seeking efforts. This lead to the conclusion that child disruptive behaviour may become a normal and acceptable phenomenon, and thus leads to late reporting - and social services being contacted only as a last resort. The most important recommendation resulting from the study indicates that there is a need for prevention and early intervention services for child disruptive behaviour. This should address the escalation of the behaviour that later results in the need for statutory services. The study further indicates that various sectors (social workers, teachers, community structures and the departments) need to collaborate and form partnerships in order to enhance the early reporting of children in need and the accessibility and availability of services rendered in rural areas. This could enhance the early identification, reporting and service delivery in order to find problem resolutions.
14
Pittaway, Luke Alan. "The social construction of entrepreneurial behaviour." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10443/190.
Abstract:
The research examined the nature of behaviour in relation to the motivations and aspirations of small business owners. The work provides a more comprehensive understanding of business owners' behaviours and their reasons for being in business. The thesis analyses the philosophical assumptions underlying theories and previous ideas on entrepreneurship. It shows that such assumptions guide and/or restrict the process of knowledge construction in the subject. One contribution that the work provides is to develop theoretical frameworks, based on the principles of Social Constructionism, which are used to guide the methodology and field research. The field research, which involved benchmark case studies and critical incident interviews with restaurant business owners, explores and codes narrative data examining behaviours related to entrepreneurship. The results show that the interviewees' reasons for being in business have an important impact on their behavioural strategies. This affects the way they socially construct and relate to their external environment. The thesis is concluded by the presentation of an integrated typology that builds on and adds to existing knowledge in the subject area. The work thus provides a better understanding of small businesses and may better inform business support and enterprise policy.
15
Jameel, L. B. "Autistic traits and everyday social behaviour." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2016. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1477210/.
Abstract:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterised by difficulties with social communication and interaction. A great deal of experimental work has examined the performance of people with ASD on social cognition tasks in laboratory settings, and a number of cognitive models have been postulated to account for observed differences in those with ASD. Meanwhile, clinical reports indicate that people with ASD face a range of difficulties in everyday functioning. However, very little experimental work has tried to elucidate how the postulated cognitive deficits in ASD might translate into difficulties in real-life-type settings, especially in adult populations. A range of novel scenario-based tasks were developed for the present thesis which aimed to provide more sensitive tools than traditional social cognition tasks for identifying the nature and severity of impairments in everyday social functioning. These systematically examined different aspects of social performance, in particular pro-social behaviour, moral judgment and reasoning. The present thesis adopted a trait-based approach to investigate how high versus low levels of autistic traits influenced everyday social functioning. This is in line with the continuum conceptualisation of an autistic spectrum, whereby those with clinical levels of impairment (i.e. diagnosed with ASD) are thought to lie at the extreme end of a normal distribution of autistic traits. Overall, two key findings emerged; firstly, people with high levels of autistic traits tended to be less behaviourally and emotionally responsive to others’ needs. Secondly, people with high levels of autistic traits displayed relatively intact awareness of social and moral norms that underpin everyday situations, but their understanding of these appeared to be more limited. These findings are consistent with the conceptualisation of a continuum of trait severity, whereby those with high levels of autistic traits showed similar difficulties to those seen in people with ASD, although perhaps to a lesser extent. The body of work presented in this thesis has potential clinical implications for the assessment and management of adults with ASD.
16
Webb, Clare Louise. "Young children's views of social behaviour." Thesis, University of Huddersfield, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.285589.
17
Dos, Anjos Pablo Lucas. "Conventional social behaviour amongst microfinance clients." Thesis, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2014. http://e-space.mmu.ac.uk/326221/.
Abstract:
This doctoral thesis inductively explores the role of conventional social behaviour adopted by individual microfinance clients regarding their influence over their own collective success as a microcredit group. The collective credit in question is subject to an adaptation in Mexico of the Grameen Bank lending framework. An analysis is made on the close interplay between institutional rules, i.e. the repayment conditions imposed by the microfinance institution (henceforth MFI), and the emergent cooperation and penalisation mechanisms that are handled by clients themselves to meet their targets. Thus the research is focused on the clients’ strategies to socially manage debt and defaulters. In this case study, a socio-economical fieldwork has been completed through surveying 600 microcredit clients, their 2404 active loans, 35 credit officers plus their board of directors. This took place in the southernmost state of Mexico, Chiapas, from September 2007 to February 2008, and data analysis was carried out during that period until July 2009. All findings were discussed with relevant stakeholders and policy makers. This proved key in providing influential insights that helped to improve the institutional regulatory framework. That resulted in a policy change that benefited over 20,000 clients. Apart from institutional regulations, it has also been observed group-level strategies devised by microfinance clients themselves to assess and deal with defaulters over time. These operate independently from the MFI framework as, despite influencing when and how quotas should be repaid, their criteria is entirely dealt with and evolved within credit groups. The obtained outcomes from analysing social and financial data include: • (I) insights backed by empirical data helped to influence an adaptation of the MFI funding credit policy, so that group structure and conventions are actually taken into consideration in a bid to foster more successful microcredit groups; • and (II) an analysis deemed reliable by the stakeholders for policy-making purposes, which has also guided the development of an exploratory model for simulating behaviour of how microcredit groups may deal with repayments in adversity. As a result of having developed this research project, three contributions to knowledge are discussed in the thesis. These are organised below according to relevant topics. 1. Understanding the behaviour within studied microfinance groups: based on the analysed evidence, a hypotheses is suggested about how group location and membership can influence the dynamics of acceptable behaviour regarding defaulters. 2. Informing policy-making with research findings: a demonstration of how stakeholders can assess the usefulness of knowledge –produced via research– for policymaking purposes, taking into account the phenomenon’s particular context. 3. The development of an agent-based model (henceforth ABM): application of the proposed ABM methodology, aimed at strengthening validation throughout the modelling process with emphasis on use of evidence and stakeholder participation.
18
Agostinho, Fábio Faustino. "Dog behaviour and ethology." Master's thesis, Universidade de Évora, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/10174/31720.
Abstract:
Dogs engage in various interactions with artificial agents (UMOs) but it is not clear whether
they recognize UMOs as social agents. Jealous behaviour emerges when an important relationship
is threatened by another individual, but only when the intruder is a social agent. We investigated
whether UMOs elicit jealous behaviour in dogs. We tested three groups of 15 dogs, each group
observed different behaviour of the UMO: mechanistic movement, non-social or social behaviour.
Then, the owner interacted with another dog, the UMO and a magazine while ignoring the subject.
Dogs displayed more rival-oriented behaviour and attempt to interrupt the owner-rival interaction in
case of the other dog and UMO compared to the magazine (the latter mainly occurred in the Social
UMO group). However, they showed less owner- and interaction-oriented behaviour in case of the
UMO. Thus, although some elements of jealous behaviour emerged toward the UMO, the results are
not conclusive; Resumo:
Comportamento e Etologia Canina
Os cães interagem com agentes artificiais (UMOs), mas não sabemos se os reconhecem
como agentes sociais. O comportamento de ciúme surge quando uma relação importante é
ameaçada por outro indivíduo, mas apenas quando o rival é social. Investigámos se os UMOs geram
comportamento de ciúme nos cães. Testámos três grupos de 15 cães, cada grupo observou
diferentes comportamentos do UMO: comportamento mecânico, não-social ou social.
Posteriormente, o dono interagiu com o outro cão, o UMO e uma revista, enquanto ignorava a cobaia.
Os cães demonstraram mais comportamento orientado ao rival e tentaram interromper a interação
dono-rival mais vezes no caso do outro cão e do UMO comparado com a revista (principalmente no
grupo do UMO Social). Porém, os cães mostraram menos comportamento dirigido ao dono e à
interação no caso do UMO. Portanto, apesar de alguns elementos de comportamento de ciúme
surgirem com o UMO, os resultados não são conclusivos.
19
McCarthy, D. J. "Therapeutic policing? : early intervention, anti-social behaviour and social control." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2011. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.549462.
20
Davison, Paul James. "Social polymorphism and social behaviour in sweat bees (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2016. http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/61422/.
Abstract:
I use field observations, experiments and molecular techniques to describe the social biology of the sweat bee Lasioglossum calceatum, and to investigate the mechanisms underlying social polymorphism and body size in this species. I also investigate environmental constraints on sociality, and the impact that workers have on productivity, in the obligate social species L. malachurum. Chapter 1 introduces sweat bees as a study system, and reviews social behaviour within the group. I then provide concise introductions to the study species. In Chapter 2 I show that L. calceatum exhibits latitudinal social polymorphism in the UK, with only bees in the south expressing primitive eusociality. I then describe the social life cycle from continuous field observations, with reference to genetic data. In Chapter 3 in I examine environmental and genetic components of social phenotype in L. calceatum by conducting a field transplant of bees from the north of the UK to the south. Social phenotype is likely to be predominantly determined by fixed genetic differences between social and solitary populations. Chapter 4 examines whether the transition between social and solitary nesting results in saw-tooth size clines in L. calceatum and Halictus rubicundus. Overall, both species exhibit converse-Bergmann clines but not saw-tooth clines. In Chapter 5 I transplant the obligate social sweat bee L. malachurum to the north of the UK, to test whether sociality is constrained by season length. Phenology was considerably delayed such that the life cycle could not be completed. In Chapter 6 I investigate queen quality, productivity and costs of worker production in L. malachurum, by manipulating the number of workers per nest. I show that queens probably incurs costs from producing more workers, and that a possible mechanism is that workers from larger groups may be of lower quality. In Chapter 7 I bring together key findings of the thesis, and comment on future directions.
21
Chamove, Arnold Shirek. "Social and non-social influences on the behaviour of primates." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/30109.
Abstract:
If a baby macaque monkey must be separated from its mother, it should be pre-fed formula before its separation at around day 5-6. If a milk bottle is always present and the infant routinely lifted to the bottle to feed, it will learn to feed itself in about 30 hours. Peer contact before the age of 5 months is desirable and as little as 1 hour per day produces socially adequate monkeys. A peer, adult male, unrelated adult female, or older juvenile can be used as a mother-substitute but if a peer is used, excessive clinging results from continuous contact with the same peer(s), and excessive aggression results if contact is with only one other animal. Self-injurious behaviour (similar to human stereotypy and not human SIB) results when young monkeys cannot direct aggressive play towards another monkey because one is not present during the day when the appropriate direction for such behaviour is practised. If the young monkey is subjected to altered levels of aggression, their subsequent aggressiveness will be similarly changed, even when there is no opportunity for modelling. It is as if there is some mechanism for copying those levels of aggression which they receive. During therapy of isolate monkeys, infants keep aggression levels low. Aggression levels are also determined by visual stimuli, animals that can never see other animals showing no aggression and those intermittently viewing them showing low levels when interacting with others in darkness. Interference with visual interaction by foliage or by visual screens also reduces aggression by at least half in animals such as monkeys and farmed bulls, deer, and chickens where aggression is problematic. Personality, is less able to predict behaviour in macaques than dominance rank. High dominance rank protects animals from stress during fights, while large changes in rank are stressful in new groupings.
22
Miramontes, Octavio Reymundo. "Complex interactions in social behaviour and ecology." Thesis, Imperial College London, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/8244.
23
Natynczuk, Stephan E. "Ultrasound and semiochemistry in rat social behaviour." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1990. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.279968.
24
Chessell-Edgar, Victoria. "The local governance of Anti-Social Behaviour." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2011. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/40486/.
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to explore the ‘empirical particulars’ (Garland 2001, p. vii) of policymaking in crime and disorder control, and the ways in which sub national policy actors are able to adapt and exert influence more generally over national level policy decisions as well as resist such wider forces. This research contends that some rethinking is needed away from much existing criminological literature on shifts in crime control policy that has been dominated by the ‘grand narrative’ accounts of writers such as Garland (2001). These narratives have been concerned largely with the provision of general accounts of overall shifts in policymaking at the national and at times global levels. As a result the local dimension to this process has been with a few notable exceptions neglected or downplayed. Instead the primary focus of much existing criminological literature has been upon the role of national policy elites, presenting policymaking as a top down experience that follows a relatively smooth trajectory. In contrast this study suggests that policymaking is instead a more unpredictable and messier process that can be affected by problems of implementation and resistance. In order to examine the role of the ‘local’ within policymaking, this research employed the use of a single ‘exemplifying case study’ of one English city and in turn it examined in depth one particular area of policymaking and implementation, namely the local management of Anti Social Behaviour (henceforth ASB). This sought to bring together documentary analysis and elite interviews in an effort to provide an empirically detailed account of anti social behaviour policy development. This study focused primarily on a series of semi-structured interviews, involving a range of key local policy actors. These were conducted over an extended period of time, which coincided with the rise of the national level ASB agenda. This extended period enabled observations to also be made about the ebb and flow of policy often as it emerged and caused local practitioners to have to develop and adapt policy responses. The resulting empirical findings provide an informed example of the messiness and contingency of public policymaking, whilst also providing a site in which other academic theories can be tested and applied. The intention of this study is to not only make a significant contribution to the field in which it is nested (ASB policy and practice), but also to enhance our understanding of the effects that broader policy change and the impact that key national policy drivers can have upon the formulation of local level policy responses. In brief the thesis suggests that through the interaction of key policy actors at both the national and local levels, policy formulation and implementation is realised.
25
Muller, Laurent. "Heterogeneous and strategic behaviour in social dilemmas." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.430539.
26
Masood, Rukhsana. "Social factors shaping fertility behaviour in Pakistan." Thesis, University of Essex, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.307859.
27
Bilakhia, Sanjay. "Machine learning for high-level social behaviour." Thesis, Imperial College London, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/59041.
Abstract:
The ability to recognize and interpret the complex displays of nonverbal behavioral cues that arise in social interaction comes naturally to humans. Indeed, the survival and flourishing of early groups of homo sapiens may have depended on this ability to share implicit social information. It is a process so innate that complex social behaviours can occur without conscious awareness, even in young babies. Though we would benefit from artificial devices having the ability to understand these nonverbal cues, it has proven an elusive goal. In this thesis we are primarily motivated by the problem of recognizing and exploiting displays of high–level social behavior, focusing on behavioural mimicry. Mimicry describes the tendency of individuals to adopt the postures, gestures and expressions of social interaction partners. We first provide a background to the phenomenon of behavioural mimicry, disambiguate it from other related phenomena in social interaction, and survey its surprisingly complex dependencies on the broader social context. We then discuss a number of methods that could be used to recognize mimicry behaviour in naturalistic interaction. We list some publicly available databases these tools could be trained on for the analysis of spontaneous instances of mimicry. We also examine the scarce prior work on recognition of naturalistic mimicry behaviour, and we discuss the challenges in automatically recognizing mimicry in spontaneous data. Subsequently we present a database of naturalistic social interactions, designed for analysis of spontaneous mimicry behaviour. This has been annotated for mimicry episodes, low-level non-verbal behavioural cues, and continuous affect. We also present a new software package for web-based annotation, AstAn, which has been extensively deployed for temporal event segmentation and continuous annotation. Collecting annotation data for high-level social affect is a difficult problem. This is due to inter-annotator variance, dependent on a variety of factors including i) the content of the data to annotate ii) the complexity of the variables to annotate, and iii) the annotators' cultures and personality traits. AstAn is the first software package to enable large-scale collection of annotations relevant to affective computing, without the costly manual distribution and management of (perhaps sensitive) data. Large-scale and cost-effective data collection can significantly help to overcome the aforementioned difficulties. We present experiments showing that prevailing methods for mimicry recognition on posed data, generalize suboptimally to spontaneous data. These include methods based on cross-correlation and dynamic time warping, which are prevalent in current work on recognition of interpersonal co-ordination, including mimicry and synchrony. We also show that popular temporal models such as recurrent neural networks, when applied in a straightforward classification approach, also find it challenging to discriminate between mimicry and non-mimicry. We expand upon these baseline results using methods adapted from work on multimodal classification. Nonlinear regression models are used to learn the relationships between the non-verbal cues from each subject. Namely, for mimicry and non-mimicry classes, we learn a set of neural networks to forecast the behaviour of each subject, given the behaviour of their counterpart. The set of networks that produces the best behavioural forecast corresponds to the predicted class. Subsequently, we investigate whether high-level social affect like mimicry, conflict, valence and arousal are uniquely displayed between individuals. Specifically, we show that for episodes of a given behavioural display such as mimicry or high-conflict, the spatiotemporal movement characteristics are unique enough to construct a "kinematic template" for that behaviour. Given an unseen episode of the same behavioural display, we can compare it against the template in order to verify identity. This is useful in verification contexts where facial appearance and geometry can change due to lighting, facial hair, facial decoration, or weight loss. We present a new method, Multi-Sequence Robust Canonical Time Warping (M-RCTW), in order to construct this subject- and behaviour-specific template. Unlike prior methods, M-RCTW can warp together multiple multivariate sequences in the presence of large non-Gaussian errors, which can occur due to e.g. tracking artefacts in naturalistic behaviour, such as those resulting from occlusions. We show on two databases of natural interaction that identity verification is possible from a number of high- and low-level behaviours, and that M-RCTW outperforms existing methods for multiple sequence warping on the task of subject verification.
28
Recchia, Cheri Anne. "Social behaviour of captive belugas, Delphinapterus leucas." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1994. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/12265.
29
Botta, Federico. "Quantifying human behaviour using complex social datasets." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2016. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/88546/.
Abstract:
Being able to better understand and measure what is happening in the world is of great importance for a range of stakeholders, including policy makers. The recent explosion in the availability of data documenting our collective behaviour offers new opportunities to gain insights into our society. Here, we focus on a series of case studies to demonstrate how new forms of data may be used to help us better understand human behaviour. Data coming from financial transactions taking place in the stock market can help us better understand financial crises. We analyse a dataset comprising the stocks forming the Dow Jones Industrial Average at a second by second resolution. We investigate changes in stock market prices and how they arise at different time scales, showing a transition between power law and exponential decay in the tails of the distribution of logarithmic returns. Accurate and quick estimates of the size of a crowd are crucial for the avoidance of crowd disasters. However, existing approaches rely on human judgement and can be slow and costly. Our findings suggest that data from mobile phone networks and social media platforms may allow us to estimate the size of a crowd. Such data could potentially be accessed in real time, leading to shorter delays than those experienced with previous approaches to crowd size estimation. We also show how communities on a network constructed from our social interactions through smartphones capture the temporal evolution of our behaviour in everyday life. The complex datasets presented here also require complex methodologies to analyse them. Complexity science, and more specifically network science, has witnessed increasing attention within the scientific community in the last two decades. Here, we will present a new technique to analyse a common feature of many real world complex networks, namely community structure. We show how our methodology addresses many of the drawbacks of current techniques, and we also introduce an efficient algorithm which outperforms analogous methods on a set of standard benchmark networks. Our findings suggest that the analysis of large complex social datasets coupled with methodological advances can allow us to gain valuable measurements of human behaviour.
30
Marshall, Harry. "Social foraging behaviour in a varying environment." Thesis, Imperial College London, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/11178.
Abstract:
Social foraging behaviour has an important influence on individuals’ survival and reproduction through its role in the acquisition of food resources. It also determines the amount of foraging time required in differing environments, and so the amount of time available for other activities, such as socialising and resting, which have been implicated in an individual’s fitness, as well as the stability of the wider social group. In this thesis I explore the links between these two processes by investigating the drivers of social foraging behaviour, and how the foraging time budgets that this behaviour produces vary between environments. I do this using data collected from a wild population of chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) in Namibia, under both natural and field-experimental conditions, and through the development of an individual-based model (IBM). I show that baboon foraging decisions are influenced by social and non-social factors, but that the relative influence of these factors is dependent on the characteristics of the forager and the habitat it is in. These differences in decision-making appear to allow all individuals in a group to experience similar foraging success under natural conditions, but this pattern breaks down in extreme conditions. Using these findings to build an IBM of social foraging, I show that the time individuals need to spend foraging can increase rapidly in a deteriorating environment to the point where they are no longer able to gather enough resources. Overall, the findings of this thesis contribute to the growing appreciation that social foragers can exhibit a high degree of behavioural flexibility. These findings also emphasise the long-standing recognition that individual-level behaviours have an important influence on higher-level ecological patterns and processes and that an appreciation of this is important, not only for our understanding of these patterns and processes, but also for informing conservation and management.
31
Kohm, Amelia Margaret. "Bullying and social dilemmas : the role of social context in anti-social behaviour." Thesis, University of Bath, 2011. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.548959.
Abstract:
Research and interventions concerning anti-social behaviour have neglected the bad behaviour of “good” people or those who typically behave pro-socially. Additionally, past and current research and practice in this area have often neglected how factors in one’s current environment influence behaviour. Instead, the focus has been on how individual characteristics—borne of the interplay of genetic composition and environmental influences over time—result in anti-social behaviour. However, evidence suggests immediate contexts can foster even atypical behaviour, behavior not correlated with genetic and long-term environmental influences. The thesis is presented in four parts. Part One introduces the idea that immediate group context can have a significant effect on anti-social behaviour, particularly that of “good” people. Part Two reviews research on the impact of social dynamics on behaviour. Part Three presents the empirical study on the role of a particular group dynamic, social dilemmas, in relation to a specific type of anti-social behaviour, bullying. Finally, Part Four considers the implications of the thesis for future research and practice. Social dilemmas are situations in which individual motives are at odds with the best interests of the group and help to explain why individuals sometimes make anti-social decisions. The study at the core of this thesis tested two hypotheses: 1) both individual and group factors are associated with behaviour in bullying situations; and 2) attitudes, group norms, and social dilemmas each have a unique contribution to predicting behaviour in bullying situations. Participants were 292 middle school students at a residential school in the U.S., and data were analysed using multi-level modelling. The primary findings were, in general, consistent with the two hypotheses. The research suggests that social dilemma dynamics might be an important group factor in predicting behaviour in bullying situations.
32
Lee, I.-Ling. "Self-destructive behaviour among Taiwanese young people." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2010. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/2150/.
Abstract:
This research aims to find out the factors as well as the mechanism of young people’s self-destructive behaviour in Taiwan. The research employed a mixed methodology- both quantitative and qualitative research methods. In the quantitative study, a self-reported questionnaire survey was carried out to investigate the individual and social factors that affected suicidality and self-harm among young people (N= 1043) aged 14-18. In the qualitative study, 20 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with professionals to find out the mechanism of self-destructive behaviour. The results show that females are more vulnerable to self-destructive behaviours than males, but male suicide attempt is increasing. Self-destructive behaviour is shaped by a range of social, cultural and individual factors. General mental health and beliefs about death are the two individual factors that are highly related to young people’s self-destructive behaviour. Better general health and positive belief about death indicate lower risk of self-destructive behaviour. Social factors such as family interaction, peer relationship, traditional value, economic optimism and social-political security are five important factors to affect young people’s self-destructive behaviour. Close and supportive family interactions help reduce the risk of self-destructive behaviour. However, closer peer relationship may increase the likelihood of self-destructive behaviour because of copycat behaviour, imitation or altruistic behaviour. Holding more traditional values, young people may result in bearing many pressures during the current economic recession period.
33
Veludo-de-Oliveira, Tânia Modesto. "Social marketing, volunteering, and the theory of planned behaviour : what is behind volunteering behaviour?" Thesis, Cardiff University, 2009. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.584710.
Abstract:
This thesis has explored a behavioural perspective on social marketing involving volunteering. Research on volunteering is important because it addresses people from whom charitable organisations obtain help (the time donors). The focus of this study was to investigate the extent to which young volunteers perform voluntary service in the project to which they have committed themselves and for the full project period of the activities. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) was used as the core theoretical framework of this study. Four additional variables which have been used in TPB-based investigations (and which are related to behaviours relevant to social marketing) were brought to the conceptual framework, they are: personal norm, ascription of responsibility, affect, and self-identity. The constructs 'empathy' and 'altruism' were used to compare groups of volunteers. The 'Interpersonal Reactivity Index' was employed to assess empathic concern and perspective taking, whereas the 'Prosocial Tendencies Measure' was employed to assess the altruistic prosocial behaviour. An on-line questionnaire was sent to the volunteers of a charitable organisation which organises projects to young people and 237 usable replies were obtained (time 1). Information on the behaviour of 161 survey participants was provided by the coordinators of the projects after their conclusion (time 2). Follow-up interviews helped to unearth the main reasons for drop-outs and lack of volunteering commitment. Results indicate that subjective norm predicts volunteering behaviour for the full project period over and above the contributions from behavioural intention. An integrated model is proposed to explain the relationships amongst volunteering behaviour and the other variables. Levels of empathy and altruism have not significantly distinguished between high and low committed volunteers. The study concludes that the continued volunteering of young donors is mainly driven by the social group and that they perform voluntary service for both egoistic and altruistic motives.
34
Parry, Lisa. ""Interpersonal behaviour and social problem solving in children" /." Adelaide, 1998. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09AR.PS/09ar.psp264.pdf.
35
Smith, N. Craig. "Ethical purchase behaviour and social responsibility in business." Thesis, Cranfield University, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/1826/3390.
Abstract:
This thesis is about the decisions made in markets: whether decisions
and what decisions are made by consumers. It isa study in consumer
sovereignty and particularly In the way this may be used In ensuring
social responsibility In business.
Pressure group influence on purchase behaviour, particularly in the
use or threat of consumer boycotts, suggests an extension of consumer
sovereignty beyond its mere technical meaning within economics to a
more literal meaning. Consumer authority in the marketplace may not
simply refer to the more immediate characteristics of the offering
such as product features or price but, as boycotts show, other charac-
teristics such as whether the firm has investments in South Africa.
Consumer boycotts are but the most manifest and organised form of
purchase behaviour influenced by ethical concerns. Yet ethical
purchase behaviour, although found in many markets, is largely unre-
cognised In the literature.
The novelty of this topic and the perspective on consumer sovereignty
entailed an emphasis on conceptualisation in the research. The nature
of capitalism and consumer sovereignty, the ideology of marketing, the
problem of the social control of business, and pressure groups in the
political process and their strategies and tactics, are explored to
develop an argument which supports the notion of ethical purchase
behaviour. A model is proposed identifying a role for pressure groups
In the marketing system, explaining ethical purchase behaviour at the
micro level by recognising negative product augmentation. Survey
research and case studies support the model and the argument.
Guidelines for action are proposed for pressure groups and business,
suggesting both seek to influence a legitimacy element in the
marketing mix. At a more conceptual level, consumer sovereignty is
shown to offer potential for ensuring social responsibility in busi
-
ness. Of the three mechanisms for social control of business, the
market may be used to greater effect through ethical purchase beha-
vi our. However, consumer sovereignty requires choice as well as
information. Pressure groups may act as a countervailing power by
providing the necessary information, but competition is essential for
choice.
Consumer sovereignty Is the rationale for capitalism, the political-
economic system in the West. This study questions the basis of such a
system if political or ethical, as well as economic decisions, are not
made by consumers in markets. Hence the argument for ethical purchase
behaviour becomes an argument for capitalism.
36
Porkess, Malini Veronica. "The impact of social isolation on rat behaviour." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2008. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/10507/.
Abstract:
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder with symptoms including delusions, social withdrawal and cognitive deficits. The cognitive symptoms respond poorly to current antipsychotic medication and in order to develop new treatments it is necessary to model these deficits in animals. Rearing rats in isolation from weaning causes behavioural, cognitive and neurochemical alterations, some of which have relevance to the symptoms of schizophrenia. The work described in this thesis aimed to further characterise the behavioural and cognitive changes found isolation reared rats. After five weeks of isolation rats demonstrated increased locomotor activity in a novel environment and a gender specific impairment in recognition memory. After six weeks of isolation rats developed attenuated prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle. Isolation reared rats did not develop impairments in the attentional set shifting test of behavioural flexibility. However, in a further study isolated rats did show deficits in reversal learning (but not acquisition) in the water maze, which were reversed by the pro-cognitive 5-HT6 antagonist Ro 04-6790. Sub-chronic treatment with aniracetam, a modulator of the AMPA receptor had no effect on fear-related memory impairments seen in passive avoidance but aniracetam-treated isolation reared rats were able to discriminate the novel object. Finally, following controversial reports linking heavy cannabis use with increased risk of schizophrenia, weanling rats were dosed with a component of cannabis, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The interactions between isolation rearing and two regimens of THC treatment (low: 4x 2mg/kg and high: 8x 5mg/kg) were observed in adulthood. The low dose of THC had no effect on any behavioural test used. The high dose of THC led to impairments in recognition memory but had no effect on attentional set shifting or prepulse inhibition. High-THC and isolation rearing interacted to improve passive avoidance performance in isolates, but impair social rats. In conclusion, isolation rearing induces varied cognitive deficits which are responsive to nootropic compounds and as such is an important tool in the development of cognition enhancing and antipsychotic drugs.
37
Lim, Choi Keung Sarah Niukyun. "Trust-based social mechanism to counter deceptive behaviour." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2011. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/38163/.
Abstract:
The actions of an autonomous agent are driven by its individual goals and its knowledge and beliefs about its environment. As agents can be assumed to be selfinterested, they strive to achieve their own interests and therefore their behaviour can sometimes be difficult to predict. However, some behaviour trends can be observed and used to predict the future behaviour of agents, based on their past behaviour. This is useful for agents to minimise the uncertainty of interactions and ensure more successful transactions. Furthermore, uncertainty can originate from malicious behaviour, in the form of collusion, for example. Agents need to be able to cope with this to maximise their benefits and reduce poor interactions with collusive agents. This thesis provides a mechanism to support countering deceptive behaviour by enabling agents to model their agent environment, as well as their trust in the agents they interact with, while using the data they already gather during routine agent interactions. As agents interact with one another to achieve the goals they cannot achieve alone, they gather information for modelling the trust and reputation of interaction partners. The main aim of our trust and reputation model is to enable agents to select the most trustworthy partners to ensure successful transactions, while gathering a rich set of interaction and recommendation information. This rich set of information can be used for modelling the agents' social networks. Decentralised systems allow agents to control and manage their own actions, but this suffers from limiting the agents' view to only local interactions. However, the representation of the social networks helps extend an agent's view and thus extract valuable information from its environment. This thesis presents how agents can build such a model of their agent networks and use it to extract information for analysis on the issue of collusion detection.
38
Martin, Natalia Wentink. "Youth conceptualisations and attitudes towards anti-social behaviour." Thesis, University of Liverpool, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.486935.
Abstract:
Through a series of studies, the ways in which youths conceptualise anti-social behaviour, and evaluate and modify their judgements about anti-social behaviours is examined. This research examines and proposes a model linking conceptualisations, attitudes, and behaviour which takes into account the manner in which attitudes can change according to the perceived target status of the victim. The proposed model contextualizes Heider's Balance theory (1958) in an intervention context in which target status and reconceptualisation playa central role. The first set of analyses examined the ways in which youths conceptualise anti-social behaviour the Multiple Sorting Task. Data was analysed using Multiple Scalogram Analysis (MSA). Conceptualisations were compared by age and offending history. The second set of analyses examines the structure of youth attitudes towards antisocial behaviour using a self-report questionnaire . It is argued that participant attitudes are a function of the target or victim relative to the offender; the notion of a target status resides within a socio-cultural framework of rights and duties in society (Moghaddam & Vuksanovic, 1990; Moghaddam, 2000). Smallest Space Analysis (SSA-1) revealed general themes of pro-social and anti-social behaviours and specific themes in relation to the anonymous and familiar target status relative to the offender The third set of analyses is based a 'before and after' study of a programme targeting fire-related anti-social behaviour. Smallest Space Analysis was used to examine the structural aspects of attitude change before and after the intervention. This analysis revealed the ways is which attitudes towards specific behaviours are conceptualised and re-conceptualised in relation to each other. The process of attitude change is discussed in relation to Heider's Balance Theory and discusses the role of a change in target status relative to the offender as a key feature ofattitude change. The implications of these findings for understanding-youth anti-social behaviour are discussed. Applications of these findings in relation to future programmes targeting anti-social behaviour are outlined, and future directions for research into youth conceptualisations, attitude, and attitude change are proposed.
39
Sturgeon, Brendan Joseph James. "Anti-social behaviour in post-conflict Northern Ireland." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 2010. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.534590.
40
Blackwell, Paul Gavin. "The stochastic modelling of social and territorial behaviour." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 1990. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/13594/.
Abstract:
This thesis considers mathematical models of the interaction between social and territorial behaviour in animals, mainly by probabilistic methods. Chapter 1 introduces the Resource Dispersion Hypothesis, which suggests that territorial behaviour plus dispersed food resources can explain the existence of social groups, and describes an existing model of the process, due to Carr and Macdonald. In Chapter 2 the model of Carr and Macdonald is analysed, and in Chapter 3 an improved model is suggested and its main properties derived, primarily using renewal theory. Chapters 4 and 5 consider various spatial models for territory formation, and the effect, of spatial factors on social behaviour, using analytic and simulation-based methods. Chapter 6 considers the evolution of social behaviour using both discrete-time deterministic models and branching processes to investigate the viability of different strategies of social behaviour in the presence of dispersed resources.
41
Schooling, Catherine Mary. "Health behaviour in a social and temporal context." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2001. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1350107/.
Abstract:
Smoking, alcohol consumption, diet and exercise are sources of risk for many chronic diseases and the need to change unhealthy behaviours is now a key aspect of health promotion policies. Interventions to change adult behaviours have been unsuccessful despite, or perhaps because of, rather dramatic secular changes. Health behaviour is usually understood in terms of three different motivating forces for action, which can be categorised as individual utility, social structure and agency (i.e. engagement in a specific social and temporal context). The first two of these have been relatively well studied. The role of individual utility has been explored using a variety of expectancy-value models that relate individual psychological attributes (attitudes, beliefs and suchlike) to health behaviour. The role of social structure has been explored by studying how behaviour varies with economic circumstances (such as income or tenure) and social relationships (such as family and neighbourhood). Less well studied has been the role of agency. This thesis develops Giddens's concept of self-identity and Simmel's ideas on fashion, to provide an operationalisation of agency. The concept of image is used to link the individual's presentation of self and the appearance of an activity, in terms of underlying attributes such as conformity, gender-identity, sociability and asceticism. Considerations of image provide a potential explanation as to why some people might be more attracted to one activity than another. The concept of status seeking is used to explore why some people are motivated to follow new trends more quickly than others. This operationalisation of the role of agency in health behaviour is tested by exploring the relationship between all these potential motivating forces (individual utility, social structure and agency) and the initiation of and change in 4 specific health behaviours (smoking, drinking, diet and exercise), using data from the 1946 national birth cohort. The 1946 cohort provides a unique opportunity to explore these relationships because it provides the historical specificity necessary to delineate the changing public image of these health behaviours. It covers a period (1946-1989) during which advice about and the public image of the 4 health behaviours changed considerably, and it has data on the cohort's health habits and self images. Results indicate that people's views of themselves in relation to public images do indeed relate to these 4 health behaviours along with the other motivating forces. Understanding how all these motivating forces operate offers the possibility of predicting future behaviour and designing strategies to promote healthy choices.
42
Elliott, Mark Andrew. "The social cognitive determinants of drivers' speeding behaviour." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.427235.
43
LoÌpez, y. LoÌpez Fabiola. "Social power and norms : impact on agent behaviour." Thesis, University of Southampton, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.273756.
44
Mosindi, Osemeke. "Organisations as social networks : understanding proactive information behaviour." Thesis, Northumbria University, 2013. http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/35667/.
Abstract:
This study was carried out in the field of information behaviour, which includes information sharing behaviour. The study set out to answer the research question: what are the factors that influence proactive information sharing behaviour in organisations? The aim of the study was to explore in depth, factors that influence proactive information sharing behaviour, and understand the degree to which these factors influence proactive information sharing behaviour. The study provides a unique contribution to research by developing an understanding of factors which influence proactive information sharing behaviour in organisations; the understanding of how these factors are related in context; and the development of tools to identify proactive information sharing behaviour. The research approach was based on a constructivist philosophical perspective, grounded in information behaviour theories and models. A case study methodology was used to collect rich data specific to each context; three cases, and two organisations were used overall, and data collection was done using mixed methods, to give a holistic understanding. Research techniques were tailored based on a theoretical framework, which included four theories; autopoesis, social network theory, sense making, and appreciative inquiry. Data collected was analysed using the coding method used in grounded theory, going through the stages of open coding, axial coding, and some selective coding. The key findings were: role responsibility and involvement; reciprocity and trust; open office design, open conversations, and information overload; proactivity and personality; knowledge, experience, and length of time in the organisation; use of technology and resistance to change; organisational objectives, organisational policy, organisational structure, size of group, and lack of resources; enthusiasm, satisfaction / dissatisfaction, low morale, feeling of power, and expectation; difference in objectives between colleagues, personal agenda, and lack of authority. These factors influence the proactive information behaviour of individuals in organisations, and the influence of each factor is deeply rooted in the specific organisational context. A model of proactive information sharing behaviour was developed in this study, which illustrates and explains how the factors, intervening variables, and context, all combine to influence proactive information sharing behaviour in organisations.
45
Oduntan, Olubukola. "Navigating social systems : information behaviour in refugee integration." Thesis, University of Strathclyde, 2018. http://digitool.lib.strath.ac.uk:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=30534.
Abstract:
This thesis reports on an information behaviour investigation into refugee integration, undertaken to understand how refugees navigate complex integration processes and systems. The aim was to find person-centred information needs, relationships and sources that could inform the design of person-centred integration systems. The study was carried out through an interdisciplinary synthesis of academic literatures and professional practice. Theories of information behaviour were synthesised with principles in refugee integration into a theoretical framework founded on Dervin's sense-making methodology. The research data were collected by interviews and observations, such that the observation data substantiated interview findings. A diverse population of refugees were interviewed directly and observation of service provision was recorded during a volunteer role with the Scottish Refugee Council. The data analysis was process-driven and dynamic, using an iterative process of thematic coding. This resulted in pertinent institutional dimensions being factored into the identification of information needs. The research findings culminated in an information needs matrix - a navigational guide with implications for research, policy and practice. The study found connections between people, information and sociological needs as refugees navigate integration processes and systems. In addition, the experiences of navigating integration systems were tied to specific times, places and human conditions. This relationship resulted in the information needs matrix, which encompasses the complexities of navigating integration systems and points to refugee integration being as much an information issue as it is a sociological one.
46
Hillebrandt, H. F. "Bayesian hierarchical predictive coding of human social behaviour." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2014. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1435549/.
Abstract:
‘Bayesian hierarchical predictive coding of human social behaviour.’ Biological agents are the most complex systems humans encounter in their natural environment and it is critical to model other’s mental states correctly to predict their behaviour. To do this one has to generate a mental representation based on an internal neural model of the other agent (Chapter 1). Here we show, in a series experiments, that people use and update their Bayesian priors in social situations and explain how they create mental representations of others to guide action selection. We investigate the neural mechanisms and the brain connectivity that underlie these social processes and how they develop with age. In chapter 2, we show how experimentally induced prior experience with other people (here social inclusion or exclusion) influences the level of trust towards those people. In chapter 3, we describe an fMRI study using a social perspective-taking task that examines the developmental differences between adolescents and adults in the control of action selection by social information. Using the same task, in chapter 4, we investigate the effective connectivity between the activated regions with Dynamic causal modelling. In Chapter 5, we explore effective connectivity of fMRI data from the Human connectome project (Van Essen et al., 2012). During the task participants viewed animations of triangles moving either randomly or so that they evoke mental state attribution (Castelli et al., 2000). Chapter 6 concludes with a summary of the experiments and integrate them into existing research, as well as provide a critical synthesis of the findings in order to suggest future research directions. We interpret our findings in a hierarchical predictive coding framework, where agents try to create a neural model of the external world to minimize prediction errors, Bayesian surprise and free energy.
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Sharps, Maxine Adele. "Social influences on children's and adolescents' eating behaviour." Thesis, University of Liverpool, 2016. http://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/3005389/.
Abstract:
This thesis aimed to examine how children's and adolescents' eating behaviour is socially influenced by their parents and their peers. Chapter 2 aimed to examine whether there was evidence that adolescents may mimic their parent when eating a lunchtime meal together. Chapter 2 showed that adolescents may mimic their parent when eating together, looking to their parents to determine what to eat and when. Chapters 3-5 aimed to examine whether perceived eating norms influenced children's eating behaviour, the mechanisms underlying this influence, and whether perceived eating norms in the form of messages may be used as an intervention tool. Across chapters 3 and 4 perceived eating norms influenced children's vegetable consumption. In addition, in Chapter 4 the perceived eating norm continued to influence children's eating behaviour in an eating session twenty-four hours later. Furthermore, Chapter 4 found that perceived eating norms may act as a form of informational social influence, through removing uncertainty about how much to eat. Finally, Chapter 5 showed that perceived eating norm messages may be a potential way of increasing children's fruit and vegetable intake. We argued that children's and adolescents' eating behaviour is socially influenced by their parents and their peers, and that interventions could make use of perceived eating norms to increase children's fruit and vegetable intake.
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Cornforth, Daniel Michael. "Social behaviour in bacteria : regulation, coinfection, and virulence." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/17609.
Abstract:
Bacteria interact with one another in many ways, through helpful behaviours like producing fitness-enhancing secretions and signals as well as harmful ones like the release of anti-competitor toxins. These interactions are essential for bacterial growth and survival and can have substantial impacts on the virulence of bacterial pathogens. This thesis explores the theory of social interactions among bacteria, focusing on both the mechanisms that underlie them as well the consequences for pathogens coinfecting a host. I first propose a hypothesis for the regulation of competitive traits in bacteria. By analysing published literature on anti-competitor toxin regulation I suggest that one of the principal mediators of antagonistic behaviour in bacteria is sensing harm from competitors. In particular, I argue that certain types of stress responses, known to protect bacteria from environmental assault, are fundamental in allowing bacteria to sense competitive threats. Next I focus on another mechanism of sensing social partners, quorum sensing, which has been argued alternatively to either sense bacterial cell density or the mass transfer properties of an environment. I propose a hypothesis on how the use of multiple quorum sensing signals molecules, a common feature across many bacteria, can potentially help resolve ambiguity between social and physical aspects of a cell’s environment. The rest of the thesis focuses on the epidemiology of coinfection, bacterial and otherwise. In some parasites, high coinfection rates lead to an increased level of evolved virulence due to competition between lineages inside the host. In contrast, when cooperative secretions contribute to virulence, the opposite can occur because high producing virulent strains are out-competed by parasites that do not produce public goods. I develop a mathematical model to show that the structure of parasites inside the host largely determines the fate of virulence when there is social interaction at a local level within the host. This analysis shows that multiplicity of infection can have either a positive or negative effect on virulence depending on structuring within the host. Lastly I explore how host contact structure influences coinfection rates and show that when hosts have very heterogeneous numbers of contacts, a small fraction of individuals in the population has a disproportionate effect on coinfection, which in turn shapes pathogen evolution.
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Verkerk, David. "Corporate social responsible behaviour in the financial industry." Master's thesis, NSBE - UNL, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10362/11816.
Abstract:
A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and EconomicsThe financial crisis of 2007-2008 incited many criticisms of financial institutions, especially their policies and ethics. In response, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has increased in European and American financial industries. This increase is stimulated by both consumer demand and regulatory pressure. However, there are major differences in CSR between European and American markets, differences which indicate important market trends but are little studied. This study examines the differences in CSR behaviour between the financial industries of those two regions, and investigates what relationship, if any, exists between CSR behaviour and financial performance. This research analyses different CSR rating methodologies. An analysis of CSR rating methodologies and studies reveals a significant difference in CSR behaviour between European and American markets. The European financial industry shows a faster increase in CSR behaviour in comparison to their counterparts in the United States of America (US), enlarging the difference in CSR behaviour between the two. The results demonstrate a transformation from a positive toward a negative correlation between CSR behaviour and financial performance for the years 2009-2012, inclusive. The CSR measurement framework described by Scholtens (2008) is found to have significant correlations with other CSR rating agencies, thereby restraining its added value. Ultimately, these results affirm the importance of measuring CSR behaviour to better understand differences in the influence of CSR in the financial industry and wider differences between European and American markets.
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Piotrowska, Patrycja J. "Social inequalities in child and adolescent antisocial behaviour." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 2015. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/8121/.
Abstract:
A number of studies have demonstrated a social gradient in antisocial behaviour, with children from low-socioeconomic backgrounds exhibiting more behavioural difficulties than those from high-socioeconomic families. However, this relationship has not always been reported and estimates of association vary in magnitude across the studies. Moreover, a range of studies have highlighted the indirect nature of this relationship and examined potential mediating variables. It remains unclear whether socioeconomic status (SES) presents similar associations with a range of heterogeneous forms of antisocial behaviour in terms of their gradient and underlying mechanisms. Three studies were conducted to address the nature of the relationship between family SES and children’s antisocial behaviour. In Study 1 (Chapter 2), an extensive systematic review and meta-analysis reported that SES can be considered a major correlate of broadly conceptualised antisocial behaviour and the strength of this relationship is a function of the type of informant and the construct under investigation; stronger relationships were found when antisocial behaviour was reported by parents or teachers, and when callous-unemotional traits were considered as an outcome. Study 2 (Chapter 3) investigated the level, direction, and homogeneity of the impact of household income upon different types of antisocial behaviour in a series of structural equation models using the B-CAMHS 2004 dataset. This study showed that income gradients are similar across a range of antisocial behaviours (such as irritability, aggressive behaviours, callous-unemotional traits), and that income may lead to greater behavioural differences in the mid-income range, and less variation at low- and high-income extremes. Study 3 (Chapter 4) concerns models delineating potential mechanisms indicating that unhealthy family functioning, neighbourhood disadvantage, stressful life events and children’s reading and spelling abilities mediate the relationship between income and antisocial behaviour. The findings arising from the three studies described and their collective contribution are considered in terms of current literature; further theoretical and practical implications are discussed.