Pre-programmed behaviours

Question 1

Learning of behaviours

Answer 1

a relatively permanent change in behaviour and knowledge that occurs as a result of experience. We infer that learning has taken place by noting modifications in the responses of the organism to stimuli provided by the environment.

Question 2

Reflex action

Answer 2

automatic, involuntary responses that do not require prior experience. Such actions are adaptive for survival, that is, without these built-in mechanisms that protect us from environmental hazards, we would be in great danger.

Question 3

Fixed action patterns

Answer 3

An inborn predisposition to behave in a certain way in response to environmental stimuli, and is used to describe behaviour that is inherited by every individual member of a species.

Characteristics of fixed action patterns include:

• Genetically programmed
• More complex than reflex actions that are unique to a particular species of animal -
• Lasts for a lifetime
• Consists of a sequence of responses
• Not found in humans

Question 4

Difference between reflex and fixed action patterns

Answer 4

• these behaviours are complex. not simple
• these behaviours are unique to a particular species of animal

Question 5

Behaviours due to maturation

Answer 5

maturation: a predetermined biological sequence of behaviour which occur at certain stages.

· Example: humans are unable to walk until they are sufficiently developed, mentally and physically, thus why most children begin to walk at around 10-14 months of age.