What term describes the science of animal behavior?

Ethology is the term that specifically refers to the science of animal behavior. This field examines how animals interact with each other and their environments, focusing on instinctual behaviors, social behaviors, and the evolutionary significance of these behaviors. Ethologists study a variety of species in different contexts to understand the natural behaviors that arise in various situations.

In contrast, psychology generally pertains to the study of behavior and mental processes in humans, although there are branches that consider animal behavior as well. Biology is a broader field that covers the study of living organisms, including their physical and chemical processes, but does not specifically focus on behavior. Physiology deals with the functions and mechanisms occurring within living organisms and is more concerned with how bodily systems operate rather than behavior itself.

Thus, ethology is the correct term for the scientific study dedicated to understanding animal behavior in a more focused and structured manner.