What did classical ethologists propose about most animal behavior?

Classical ethologists proposed that most animal behavior is instinctive, meaning it is hardwired and biologically determined rather than primarily learned or heavily influenced by external factors. This perspective emphasizes that animals are born with inherent behaviors that are triggered by specific stimuli in their environment.

For example, behaviors such as migration in birds or nest building in certain species are seen as instinctual drives that do not require learning through experience. Classical ethology focuses on these innate behaviors, highlighting the role of genetic programming in the way animals react to various situations, which is foundational to understanding the evolution of species and their adaptive behaviors.

This contrasts with the ideas that behavior is mainly learned, influenced solely by external stimuli, or shaped by environmental factors, which downplays the innate components that classical ethologists argue are crucial in understanding animal behavior.