Animal Behavior & Psychology Flashcards

Which conditioning technique uses an unpleasant stimulus to reduce an unwanted behavior in animals?

Answer: Aversive conditioning

Aversive conditioning pairs an unpleasant stimulus with an unwanted behavior to discourage its recurrence.

What term describes a fixed sequence of behaviors triggered automatically by a specific stimulus in animals?

Answer: Fixed action pattern

A fixed action pattern (FAP) is an instinctive behavioral sequence that runs to completion once triggered by a sign stimulus.

A dog that stops reacting to the sound of a doorbell after repeated exposures without consequence is demonstrating:

Answer: Habituation

Habituation is the decline in response to a repeated, inconsequential stimulus over time.

Which hormone is most directly associated with triggering aggressive and territorial behavior in many male animals?

Answer: Testosterone

Testosterone promotes aggressive and territorial behaviors in many male vertebrates, particularly during breeding seasons.

What is 'displacement behavior' in animal psychology?

Answer: Performing an irrelevant behavior when in conflict

Displacement behavior occurs when an animal in a conflict situation performs an apparently irrelevant act, such as preening when unsure whether to fight or flee.

The alarm call behavior seen in Belding's ground squirrels, where individuals warn others at personal risk, is best explained by:

Answer: Kin selection

Kin selection theory explains self-sacrificing alarm calls because the caller shares genes with nearby relatives who benefit from the warning.

Which concept describes an animal's tendency to return to a specific area for feeding, resting, or breeding?

Answer: Home range

A home range is the area an animal routinely uses for its daily activities, including foraging, sleeping, and reproducing.