The Study of Animal Behavior Flashcards
Behaviorism
The ethological approach that states behavior is learned rather than genetically programmed
Classical Conditioning
The type of conditioned learning that associates stimuli occurring and approximately the same time or in roughly the same area
Classical Ethology
The ethological approach asserting that much of what animals know is instinctive or innate
Conditioned Stimulus
Sensory input unrelated to a simple reflex behavior
Ethology
The study of animal behavior
Evolution
The scientific theory that characterizes all related organisms as descended from common ancestors
Fixed Action Patterns
A term used by early ethologists to describe stereotypical or predictable behaviors of a species
Function
In ethological terms, survival value.
Innate
Instinctive
Instinct
A combination of unlearned responses characteristics of a species
Natural Selection
The process that awards survival and reproductive success to individuals and groups best adjusted to their environment.
Naturalists
natural scientists
Nature-Nurture Controversy
The crux of two opposing schools, classical ethology, which views animal behavior as primarily instinctive and animal psychology which views animal behavior as primarily learned.
Unconditioned Stimulus
Sensory input that produces a simple reflex behavior
Unconditioned Response
A simple reflex behavior
Stimulus-Response Theory
The psychological school of thought stating that all complex forms of behavior, including emotions, thoughts and habits, are complex muscular and glandular responses that can be observed and measured
Sociobiology
The Study of the biological bases of social behavior
Operant
Functioning or tending to produce effects
Operant Conditioning
The type of conditioned learning that associates of certain activity, known as the operant, with punishment or reward
Dance
A complex pattern of movements performed by a bee that directs other bees to a food source
Imprinting
The acquisition in the very young of certain fixed action patterns
Instrumental Learning
Learning by trial and error
Social Behavior
the ways individual members of the same species interact with one other
Sensitive Period
A specific stage early in and animal’s life when imprinting occurs
Recognition of Individuals
The process that allows animals to distinguish their place in a social context broader than their relationship with primary caregivers
