62: Motivation and its Affect on Behavior with Mel Paynter & Alyse Stitt, Georgia Aquarium

This episode Mel Paynter and Alyse Stitt, Georgia Aquarium, discuss motivation in the context of animal behavior and training.  In part 1 of this two episode discussion Mel and Alyse discuss what motivation is, what it looks like in practice, and give some o-fish-ally great examples from the many aquatic species that they work with in the Ocean Voyager habitat at the Georgia Aquarium.  They both dive deeper into breaking down and discussing some of the numerous stimuli and events that can affect motivation.   The discussion finishes with their advice on how to productively and effectively use motivation as a tool in our training toolbox and not as a label.  Stay tuned in for Mel and Alyse’s “Training Tales” that focus on how the fish they have worked with have taught them and changed their perspective. You can also learn more information about the 2025 ABMA annual conference by visiting www.abma.org For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠[e-mail]⁠ and to contact Mel and Alyse email [e-mail] or [e-mail] Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 

3:25 Introduction to Mel Paynter and Alyse Stitt

8:15 Overview of Ocean Voyager habitat at Georgia Aquarium 

10:15 Definition of Motivation 

13:45 Definition of Motivating Operations 

Affects on Motivation: 

17:10 Food and Enrichment 

24:00 Breeding/Courtship 

34:00 Social Structure/Situations 

39:50 Environment

43:35 Weather/Seasonality

45:00 Learning History 

47:50 Animal’s physical ability to do something

48:50 Previous access to resources

50:35 Differences in motivation among individuals 

59:25 Advice for using motivation productively and effectively, not as a label

1:05:35 “Training Tales”