Bakı Dövlət Universiteti Faculty of Biology

A scientific seminar entitled “The Evolution of Behavior – Instinct or Stereotype?”, dedicated to “Science Day” in the Republic of Azerbaijan and organized by the Student Scientific Society of the Faculty of Biology, was held on March 27.

In her presentation, Associate Professor Sevinc Humbatova, a lecturer at the Department of Zoology and Physiology of Baku State University, spoke about the significance of the evolution of behavior and its role in shaping organisms’ responses. She noted that the evolution of behavior is mainly studied from two perspectives—innate and acquired behavioral elements—both of which are important in the formation of an organism’s reactions. Like all systems that become more complex from primitive to advanced forms, behavioral elements in living organisms are increasingly associated with rational thinking in higher classes. Sociality lies at the core of behavior that stimulates thinking, and the ratio of brain size to its components and to body weight is currently one of the research areas attracting special interest among scientists. In this regard, it is not appropriate to draw definite conclusions about instinctive and stereotypical behavior in higher vertebrates without studying their social behavior.

Rasim Abbaszade, Chair of the Student Scientific Society of the Faculty of Biology, emphasized that such seminars, aimed at increasing students’ interest in science, are organized on a regular basis and encouraged students to be active in these activities.

The scientific seminar concluded with a Q&A session addressing students’ questions.