Unit 1 (Ch. 1 & 2)

Question 1

Fixed Action Pattern (FAP)

Answer 1

Fixed pattern actions differ from reflexes in that FAPs involve the entire organism and are more complex and more variable. They appear to be thoughtful acts as they are an interrelated series of actions, but they are largely inherited / have a strong genetic basis.
Whole body, complex, variable

Question 2

Mutation

Answer 2

An abrupt change to a gene is called a mutation. Those that occur in reproductive cells may be transmitted to offspring.

Question 3

Sensitization

Answer 3

Sensitization involves an increase in the intensity or probability of a reflex response.

Question 4

Habituation

Answer 4

Habituation involves a reduction in the probability or intensity of a reflex response.

Question 5

Releaser

Answer 5

A releaser is an event that elicits a specific kind of event. The colour red is a releaser for aggression in the male stickleback. (Releasing stimuli).
The sight of a chick with an open mouth reliably results in an adult bird providing food. The chick’s open mouth is an example of a releaser.

Question 6

Aversive

Answer 6

An aversive is an event an organism tends to avoid.

Question 7

Chief problem with natural selection

Answer 7

The chief problem with natural selection is that it is slow. It also helps the species to adapt to change, not the living individual.

Question 8

Stimulus

Answer 8

A stimulus is an environmental event that is capable of affecting behaviour.

Question 9

What does the slope of a record tell you?

Answer 9

If the rate of a behaviour is increasing, the slope of the cumulative record rises/goes up. A flat record indicates that the behaviour is not occurring.

Question 10

What is the difference between anecdotal and case study evidence?

Answer 10

The chief difference between anecdotal and case study evidence is that anecdotal evidence is based on casual observation whereas case studies examine an individual in detail.

Question 11

Between-subjects design

Answer 11

The essential element of a between-subjects design is that the independent variable varies across participants.

Question 12

Within-subjects design

Answer 12

The essential element of a within-subjects design is that the independent variable varies within participants.

Question 13

How are reflexes, fixed action patterns, and general behaviour traits alike? How do they differ?

Answer 13

Reflex: relationship between specific event and a simple, involuntary response to that event (unconditional reflex).
Fixed Action Pattern: FAP is a reflex that involves the whole body, is complex and variable.
General behaviour trait: any general behavioural tendency that is strongly influenced by genes (introversion, general anxiety).

Question 14

Behaviour

Answer 14

Behavior is anything an organism does that can be measured.

Question 15

Fluency is also known as

Answer 15

automaticity

Question 16

Circular argument

Answer 16

A circular explanation is one in which the evidence for the explanation of an event is the event itself.

Question 17

Latency

Answer 17

Latency refers to the time that passes before a response occurs.

Question 18

Identify and explain the three major reasons for using animals in research on learning.

Answer 18

Genetic history, learning history, considering it acceptable to do to animals what we would never do to humans (abuse, torture, inducing violent behaviour or depression).

Question 19

Identify and explain the three major arguments against using animals in research on learning.

Answer 19

People and other animals are different (need to bolster with corroborating evidence to show connection).
No practical value to animal research on behaviour (except psychological disorders, child rearing, education, business yes).
Unethical (but okay if it’s to benefit us and no more harm is done than necessary to benefit us?)

Question 20

ABA reversal design

Answer 20

A type of within-subject experiment in which behaviour is observed before (A) and after B. The original condition A is then restored, sometimes forllowed by B again.

Question 21

Independent variable

Answer 21

Independent variable is any variable an experimenter manipulates (free to fuck with).

Question 22

Evolved behaviour can be non-adaptive when

Answer 22

the environment changes.

Question 23

Operational definition

Answer 23

When a behaviour is defined by the procedure used to measure it, the definition is said to be operational.