Chapter 56 Flashcards
A response of an animal that is dependent on having a particular kind of experience
learned behavior
A highly stereotyped instinctive behavior; when triggered by a specific cue, it is performed over and over in almost exactly the same way
fixed action patterns
A simple cue that triggers a fixed action pattern
sign stimuli
The process of learning the identity of a caretaker and potential future mate during a critical period early in life
imprinting
A type of learning in which an animal develops a mental association between 2 phenomena that are usually unrelated
classical conditioning
A form of associative learning in which animals learn to link a voluntary activity, an operant, with its favorable consequences, the reinforcement
operant conditioning
A form of learning in which animals use insight to solve a novel problem; sometimes called trial-and-error learning
cognition
The learned loss of responsiveness to stimuli
habituation
What is the difference between an instinctive behavior and a learned behavior?
An instinctive behavior is a genetically or developmentally programmed response that appears in complete and functional form the first time it is used. A learned behavior is one that is dependent on having a particular kind of experience during development
How did Arnold demonstrate that the receptiveness of garter snakes to a meal of banana slugs had a genetic basis?
Arnold demonstrated the at the receptiveness of garter snakes to a meal of banana slugs had a genetic basis by breeding snakes that almost always eat banana slugs with snakes that rarely eat them. The behavior of the hybrid offspring was intermediate between the behaviors of the 2 parents populations
Dogs typically wag their tails when they see their owner pick up a leash. What kind of learning does this demonstrate?
Tail wagging by a dog when it sees its owner pick up a leash is an example of classical conditioning
What type of learning allows you to sleep through your alarm clock when it rings to awaken you for class?
sleeping through an alarm clock is an example of habituation
What research results suggest that certain neurons in a young male bird’s brain are influenced only by acoustical signals form members of it own species and only during a critical period?
the conclusion that certain neurons in a young male bird’s brain are influenced only by acoustical signals from its own species and only during a critical period is supported by 2 observations: 1) young birds that did not hear taped songs during the critical period never produced the full song of their species 2) young birds that heard recordings of other bird species’ songs during the critical period never generated replicas of those song as they matured.
What is the role of the ZENK enzyme in song learning?
the role of the ZENK enzyme in song learning is to program the nerve cells of the bird’s brain to anticipate key acoustical events of potential biological importance
What is the effect of estrogen on the development of neurons in the higher vocal center of young zebra finches?
A high estrogen concentration in the brains of young male zebra finches stimulates the production of more neurons in the higher vocal center
How does the loss of its territory change the brain chemistry of an African cichlid fish?
The loss of a territory by a male African cichilid fish causes its brain to produce less GnRH
The predictable seasonal movement of animals from the area where they are born to a distant and initially unfamiliar destination, returning to their birth site later
migration
A wayfinding mechanism in which animals use familiar landmarks to guide their journey
piloting
A wayfinding mechanism that allows animals to move in a particular direction, often over a specific distance or for a prescribed length of time
compass orientation
A wayfinding mechanism in which an animal moves towarda specific destintion using both a compass and a “mental map” of where it is in relation to destination
navigation
What is the difference between piloting, compass orientation, and navigation?
When piloting, animals use familiar landmarks to guide their journey. In compass orientation, animals use external environment cues such as the position of the sun or stars as a compass to move in a particular direction, often over a specific distance or for a prescribed length of time. When navigating, animals use a compass as well as mental map of their position in relation to their destination
What is the most probable selection pressure that has fostered seasonal migrations in birds?
Seasonal changes in temperature and food availability are the most likely selection pressures responsible for the evolution of migratory behavior in birds
A change in the rate of movement or the frequency of turning movements in response to environmental stimuli
kinesis
A behavioral response that is directed either toward or away from a specific stimulus
taxis
