Evolution and Behavior

1. Mechanisms of Behavioral Evolution
   1. Genetic Basis of Behavior
      1. Behavioral Genetics
         1. Definition and scope of behavioral genetics
         2. Techniques in behavioral genetics research
         3. Case studies highlighting genetic influences on behavior
         4. Genetic diversity and behavior variance
      2. Heritability of Behavioral Traits
         1. Methods for estimating heritability
         2. Heritability across different species
         3. Gene-environment interactions
         4. Evolutionary implications of heritable behaviors
   2. Developmental Influences
      1. Environmental Stimuli and Prenatal Development
         1. Role of prenatal environment in shaping behavior
         2. Interaction between genes and prenatal conditions
         3. Critical periods of development and behavioral outcomes
         4. Examples of prenatal environmental impacts on behavior
      2. Hormonal influences on behavior development
         1. Role of stress hormones in behavioral adaptation
         2. Impact of maternal hormones on offspring behavior
   3. Epigenetics and Behavior
      1. Definition and principles of epigenetics
      2. Epigenetic mechanisms: DNA methylation, histone modification
      3. Influence of epigenetics on behavioral phenotypes
      4. Social and environmental factors affecting epigenetic changes
      5. Case studies: epigenetic changes in response to environmental stressors
      6. Long-term behavioral changes through epigenetic modifications