Which of the following observes natural processes such as communication, courtship, mating, and self-defense?

The correct choice, ethology, is the scientific study of animal behavior in natural environments. Ethologists focus on observing and describing behaviors as they occur in the wild, allowing them to understand the functions of those behaviors in terms of evolution and adaptation. This area of study covers a wide range of behaviors, including communication, courtship, mating rituals, and self-defense mechanisms that animals use in their interactions with each other and their environments.

Ethology emphasizes the importance of behaviors as they are naturally exhibited rather than in controlled laboratory settings, which is central to understanding how these behaviors contribute to an animal's survival and reproductive success. By studying these natural processes, ethologists can gain insights into the behavioral patterns that arise from evolutionary pressures, thus linking behavior to biological and ecological factors in a comprehensive manner.