Proximate and Ultimate Causes of Behavior

Question 1

Proximate causes…

Answer 1

explain how a behavior occurs

Question 2

Ultimate causes….

Answer 2

explain why a behavior occurs in terms of its evolutionary purpose or the adaptive value it provides

Question 3

Ultimate causes focus on

Answer 3

the long-term evolutionary pressures that shaped the behavior and how it contributes to the organism’s survival and reproduction

Question 4

Birds sing to defend territory and attract mates. The ultimate cause of this behavior is that it increases the bird’s chances of reproducing and passing on its genes.

Answer 4

Ultimate cause of behavior

Question 5

A peacock’s elaborate tail may have evolved because it signals genetic fitness to potential mates, leading to greater reproductive success

Answer 5

Ultimate cause of behavior

Question 6

The behavior of prey animals fleeing from predators has evolved because it increases the animal’s chances of survival and thus its ability to reproduce.

Answer 6

Ultimate cause of behavior

Question 7

Proximal causes focus on

Answer 7

the immediate mechanisms or processes that lead to the behavior.

Question 8

The behavior of birds migrating might be influenced by changes in hormone levels as the seasons change, which triggers migratory behavior.

Answer 8

Proximate cause of behavior

Question 9

A male bird singing in the spring to attract mates is influenced by the environmental cue of increasing daylight, which stimulates the bird’s reproductive behavior.

Answer 9

Proximate cause of behavior

Question 10

When a predator approaches, the behavior of a prey species (such as fleeing) is triggered by sensory input (e.g., sight or smell) that activates the nervous system, prompting an escape response.

Answer 10

Proximate cause of behavior