Animal Behavior Flashcards
Behaviorism
The ethological approach that states behavior is learned rather then genetically programmed.
Classical Conditioning
The type of conditioned learning that associates stimuli occurring at approximately the same time or in roughly the same area.
Classical Ethology
The ethological approach asserting that much of what animals know is instinctive or innate.
Conditioned Stimulus
Sensory input unrelated to a simple reflex behavior.
Ethology
The study of animal behavior.
Fixed Action Patterns
A term used by early ethologists to describe stereotypical or predictable behaviors of a species.
Function
In ethological terms, survival value.
Innate
Instinctive
Instinct
A combination of unlearned responses characteristic of a species.
Natural Selection
The process that awards survival and reproductive success to individuals and groups best adjusted to their environment.
Naturalists
Natural Scientists
Nature-Nuture Controversy
The crux of two opposing schools: classical ethology which view animal behavior as primarily instinctive, and animal psychology, which views animal behavior as primarily learned.
Unconditioned Stimulus
Sensory input that produces a simple reflex behavior.
Unconditioned Response
A simple reflex behavior.
Stimulus Response Theory
The psychological school of thought stating that all complex forms of behavior, including emotions, thoughts, and habits, are complex muscular and glandular responses that can be measured and observed.
