Stereotypy

Stereotypy is a term often used in the literature in reference to behavior patterns that are repetitive and invariant in nature. Stereotypic behaviors are observed in individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities or individuals who are on stimulant drugs; they are not unique to human [Page 1842]beings since captive animals are reported to display such behavior. Although regular, repetitive behavior is crucial for a wide variety of very basic behaviors, such as running—a behavior which is a result of repeated, coordinated limb movements—can be considered abnormal under certain conditions. Repetitive actions, commonly observed among birds and lower mammals, are among the hallmarks of invertebrate animal behavior. The fixed repetitive activity patterns in these groups of animals are considered to be triggered by particular events in ...