The purpose of this paper is to discuss the evolution of science that studies comparative animal behaviour - Etology -, highlighting the theory of Lorenz (1937), considered one of the founders of this science. The text begins by making reference to the diverse relationships existing between man and other animals from the beginning of human being existence. After that, it approaches the historical aspect of the evolution of the concept of instinct as a feature of Lorenz's theory (1937), followed by the criticism among scholars and points out new trends concerning the study of animal behavior, as well as its contributions, that are today contributing to other areas of knowledge.
Learning; Etology; Instinct; Lorenz; Reflex
