Practice question · True or false
Discovering the exact hormonal mechanism that triggers a bird's song would make the question of why singing evolved unnecessary to answer.
Hints
- Does a proximate 'how' answer ever replace an ultimate 'why' answer?
- Mechanism and Function sit at different levels and are both needed for a complete account.
Show the answer
False
Why
False. A mechanism answer (how the song is produced) never substitutes for a function answer (why singing evolved) - they are complementary levels, and a complete Tinbergen explanation requires both. Assuming 'how' dissolves 'why' is the named pitfall.
Practise Tinbergen's Four Questions
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