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The term that relates directly to the scientific study of animal behavior is ethology. Ethology is a branch of biology that focuses specifically on the behaviors of animals in their natural environments, emphasizing observational and experimental methods to understand the context and evolution of these behaviors. Pioneers in ethology, such as Konrad Lorenz and Nikolaas Tinbergen, conducted extensive studies on animal instincts, social interactions, and communication patterns, contributing significantly to the understanding of behavior from an evolutionary perspective.

In contrast, psychodynamics primarily deals with the unconscious mental processes and how they influence behavior, often in humans. Behaviorism focuses on the study of observable behavior rather than mental states and has been primarily applied to humans, although it has roots in animal studies. Humanism is an approach centered around human values and the individual's potential, without a direct focus on animal behavior. Thus, ethology stands out as the most relevant term for the scientific study of animal behavior.