stereotypic behavior. Repetitive behaviors commonly seen in captive animals and likely induced by stress and lack of appropriate stimuli (e.g., overgrooming among primates, pacing among tigers, and the swaying of elephants). A constant, repeated behavior. Has been attributed to extended social isolation, low environmental complexity, deprivation, etc. Stereotypy also may arise from genetic predispositions, or from disease of, or damage to the brain. Definition from Hurnik et al., 1995.