Learned Vs Innate Behaviour

Question 1

What is species specific behaviour

Answer 1

Certain behavioural similarities shared by almost all members of a species. The behaviours must be specific to members of the species and unlearned

Question 2

What is innate behaviour

Answer 2

Some behaviours are displayed by animals from birth, without them ever learning such behaviours from conspecifics e.g. mating, hibernation

Question 3

What is learned behaviour

Answer 3

Observing conspecifics such as parents and/or other members of a social group e.g. hunting, problem solving

Question 4

What is fixed action pattern

Answer 4

Predictable series of actions triggered by a specific stimulus…
like reflexes, they are involuntary and automatic however they are more complicated….
Once triggered, the animal will continue displaying the behaviour until it is complete, even if the stimulus is removed

Question 5

Case study: greylag geese

Fixed action pattern

Answer 5

~The mother goose’s egg kept falling out of the nest
~When the egg rolls out the nest, the mother goose will use her bill to push the egg back into the nest in a series of predictable movements
~the stimulus which triggers this behaviour is the sight of the egg outside the nest.
~if the egg is picked up and taken away, the goose will continue to display the behaviour anyway