Ethological explanations

Question 1

What is an innate Releasing mechanism (IRM)

Answer 1

Neural pathways whose purpose is to trigger pre-determined behaviours

Question 2

What is a fixed action pattern (FAP)

Answer 2

behaviours that are a direct consequence of neural triggers, instinctive and unchagning.

Question 3

Explain Lorenz’s Ritualistic Aggression

Answer 3

Observed wolves in their natural habitat, he noticed that the vast majority of aggression shown by the animals was not designed to inflict harm but instead show a display of dominance.

Question 4

What was the aim of Tinbergen’s Fixed Action pattern in Stickleback Fish

Answer 4

To investigate the stimulus that triggers aggressive behaviour in male sticklebacks withinn their territories.

Question 5

What was the procedure of Tinbergen’s Fixed action patterns in stickleback Fish

Answer 5

Tinbergen presented Sticklebacks with a series of wooden models of diffrent shaped sticklebacks. He placed model in territory of real sticklebacks to see their behaviours.

Question 6

What were the findings of Tinbergens’s Fixed action patterns in Stickleback Fish

Answer 6

Regardeless of shape if the model had a red spot/underbelly the male stickelback would aggressively display and attack. But if there was no red spot, there was no aggression even if model looked realistically like a fish.

Question 7

Descibe the features/beliefs of the Kung Sang tibe (weakness of ehtologicl aggression)

Answer 7

Strongly nonviolent image of themselves, they proclaim themselves to be nonviolent people who do not get angry or hit others.
We can question if aggression is universal.

Question 8

Describe how ehtological aggression is supported from cognitive Neuroscience.
(strenght of ethological aggression)

Answer 8

Activation of the Amygdala leads to an aggressive response. This is evedience of an innate releasing mechanism.