Types of Behavior Chapter 7 Section 1 Vocabulary

Behavior n Behavior is the way an organism interacts with other organisms and it’s environment. n Wolves are pack animals by nature. They must work together to survive.

Stimulus n Anything in the environment that causes a reaction is called a stimulus. n It can be external or internal. n An external stimulus could be a rival male entering another male’s territory. n An internal stimulus could be hunger or thirst.

Innate Behavior n A behavior an animal is born with. n These behaviors are inherited. n An instinct is an example of an innate behavior.

Reflex Actions n An automatic response that does not involve a message from the brain. n Sneezing, shivering, yawning, jerking your hand away from a hot surface, and blinking your eyes when something is thrown toward you are examples.

Instincts n Instincts are complex patterns of innate behavior. n Begins when the animal recognizes a stimulus and continues until all parts of the behavior have been performed. n For example, a spider spins a complicated web correctly the first try. The males construct a nest from vegetation held together by secretions from their kidneys. The males then attract females to the nest who lay their eggs inside where the male can fertilize them. The male then guards the eggs until they hatch.

Learned Behavior n Behaviors learned through experiences throughout a lifetime. n For example, organisms learn which organisms can be harmful to them.

Imprinting n Imprinting occurs when an animal forms a social attachment to another organism within a specific time period after birth or hatching. n For example, a mother and her baby.

Trial and Error n Trial and Error refers to behavior that is modified by experiences. n For example, chickens pecking grain, riding a bike and tying a shoe are examples of trial and error.

Conditioning n Conditioning is when behavior is modified so that a response to one stimulus becomes associated with a different stimulus. n Example: Pavlov’s Dog, YOU leaving when the bell rings.

Insight n Insight is a form of reasoning that allows animals to use past experiences to solve new problems. n For example, child stacking books to reach for object that is too high. Using old math techniques to figure out new math problems.