Midterm

Question 1

learned irrelevance is a mechanism that decreases the learning of ecological irrelevant information as a result of…

Answer 1

random pairings of conditioned vs unconditioned stimuli over time

Question 2

the traditional ethological approach to the study of behaviour emphasizes..

Answer 2

the adaptive value of behavioural phenotypes

Question 3

the optimality modelling approach assumes…

Answer 3

optimize context dependent tradeoffs

Question 4

the adaptive landscape model predicts…

Answer 4

phenotypes are subject to selective constraints

Question 5

threat sensitive learning suggest that the strength of learning is

Answer 5

proportional to the strength of the unconditioned stimuli

Question 6

the concept of an ontogenetic niche predicts that

Answer 6

the acquisition of non-genetically linked traits can be inherited

Question 7

the expression “natural selection is backward looking” implies…

Answer 7

f1 phenotypes are the results of environments experienced by P

Question 8

generalist foraging patterns amongst foraging animals are expected when…

Answer 8

search cost is high and pursuit costs are low

Question 9

error management theory predicts that ecological uncertainty should…

Answer 9

increase the cost of Type 2 errors

Question 10

the observation that it is easy to condition rats to avoid certain foods with taste than avoid certain foods by color is an example of?

Answer 10

cue salience

Question 11

What is the ethological approach?

Answer 11

This approach focuses on the evolution of the behaviour

Question 12

What is the dangerous Niche hypothesis?

Answer 12

Predicts more neophobia in high risk enviornments.

Question 13

what is the threat-sensitive predator avoidance model?

Answer 13

prey animals adjust the intensity of their antipredator response based on the level of threat

Question 14

what is ideal free distribution?

Answer 14

animals will distribute themselves acorss the field based off competitors present in the area

Question 15

what is phenotypic plasticity?

Answer 15

differential expression of phenotype within population .

Question 16

whats the difference between personalities and syndromes?

Answer 16

personality: repeated correlation of behaviours over time
syndrome: repeatable correlations between plenty of phenotypes

Question 17

What is a basic foraging model?

Answer 17

what and where to forage (on)

Question 18

what is the optimal foraging theory?

Answer 18

• foragers should always accept the most profitable food item
• they should accept successively less profitable items only when E/T would be less than the mean E/T
• prey types of low quality should always be rejected

Question 19

what is a specialist forager?

Answer 19

if pursuit time is high and search time is low

Question 20

What is the economic model of territoriality?

Answer 20

benefits: exclusive access to limited resources
costs: energy expenditure, risk of injury, increased predation,

Question 21

How to know if an individual will forage on a patch?

Answer 21

if E (basic costs of life) < aP (productivity gain if NOT defending

Question 22

What is the consumer resource ratio?

Answer 22

relationship between consumers and their resources

Question 23

What is RHP?

Answer 23

resource holding potential, therefore the individuals capacity to win a contest over a resource