Tinbergen meaning

Tinbergen's work in ethology focused on the behavior of animals and its evolutionary significance.


Tinbergen definitions

Word backwards negrebniT
Part of speech Proper noun
Syllabic division Tin-ber-gen
Plural The plural of the word Tinbergen is Tinbergens.
Total letters 9
Vogais (2) i,e
Consonants (5) t,n,b,r,g

Known as one of the founding fathers of ethology, Tinbergen was a Dutch biologist and ornithologist who made significant contributions to the field of animal behavior. He was born in 1907 and passed away in 1988, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking research.

Tinbergen is best known for his work on the four questions that he believed should be answered in order to fully understand animal behavior: causation, development, function, and evolution. This framework provided a comprehensive approach to studying behavior and has since become a fundamental concept in the field.

Early Life and Education

Tinbergen studied biology at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, where he developed a keen interest in animal behavior. He went on to earn his PhD in 1932 and began his research career studying the behavior of birds.

Research and Discoveries

Throughout his career, Tinbergen conducted numerous experiments and observational studies that shed light on the complex nature of animal behavior. One of his most famous studies was on the behavior of the digger wasp, where he uncovered the intricate mechanisms behind their nesting and foraging behaviors.

Tinbergen also made significant contributions to the study of instinct and learning in animals, demonstrating how these two factors interact to shape an animal's behavior. His research laid the foundation for future studies on animal cognition and decision-making.

Legacy and Influence

Tinbergen's work has had a lasting impact on the field of ethology, inspiring generations of researchers to delve deeper into the mysteries of animal behavior. His holistic approach to studying behavior continues to guide research in the field, shaping our understanding of the natural world.

In recognition of his groundbreaking work, Tinbergen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1973, alongside Karl von Frisch and Konrad Lorenz. Together, the three scientists were honored for their pioneering research on the patterns of behavior in animals.


Tinbergen Examples

  1. Nikolaas Tinbergen was a Dutch biologist and Nobel laureate.
  2. The Tinbergen's four questions provide a framework for understanding animal behavior.
  3. The Tinbergen institute in Amsterdam is known for its research in economics.
  4. Tinbergen's research on fish behavior revolutionized the field of ethology.
  5. Many scientists utilize Tinbergen's concepts when studying animal communication.
  6. Tinbergen's work on instinct helped shape the field of evolutionary psychology.
  7. The Tinbergen Medal is awarded annually for outstanding research in biology.
  8. Students often learn about Tinbergen's experiments in introductory biology classes.
  9. Tinbergen's theory of supernormal stimuli has implications for human behavior as well.
  10. The Tinbergen Society promotes the study of animal behavior among researchers.


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  • Updated 03/05/2024 - 13:18:17