ABSTRACT
Thermoregulatory behaviour has been selected as the motivated behaviour to be considered, because it is closely associated with homeostasis. In temperature regulation the core and skin temperatures are monitored, and signals are provided that control thermoregulatory responses. Because these thermoregulatory mechanisms operate in a feedback manner, it has been useful to use control theory and systems analysis to assist with the study of temperature regulation. Body-temperature homeostasis, as indicated, depends on behavioural responses as well as on physiological thermoregulatory responses. In many circumstances behavioural thermoregulatory responses have a more important role than physiological thermoregulatory responses. Thermoregulatory behaviour has the same characteristics—purposiveness, persistence, periodicity, and priorities—as other motivated behaviours. In laboratory studies of thermoregulatory behaviour, animals have been required to make an arbitrary learned response to obtain heat or cold. The characteristics of purposiveness, persistence, and periodicity of the thermoregulatory behaviour are obvious by observing the animal directly or the record of its responses on a cumulative recorder.
