Animal Behavior and Genetics Overview
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Questions and Answers

What determines which traits are beneficial for an organism's survival?

  • Genetic mutations
  • Social interactions
  • Random chance
  • Environmental conditions (correct)

    • Natural selection can rapidly adapt organisms to new environmental changes.

    False

    What is a proposed new reflex that would be helpful to humans?

    Alert Reflex

    The process by which learning and cognitive abilities were favored for survival is known as _____ selection.

    <p>natural</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Reflexes = Automatic responses to specific stimuli Modal Action Patterns (MAPs) = Complex behaviors involving coordinated sequences General Behavior Traits = Broader tendencies depending on context Natural Selection = Process favoring survival of beneficial traits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of experimental design uses a control group and compares two or more groups of subjects?

    <p>Between-subjects experiment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The baseline period is characterized by the observation of behavior after attempting modification.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is learning not considered 'behind the times'?

    <p>It allows for quick adaptation to new situations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    All changes in learned behaviors are adaptive.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In an ABA reversal design, what does the letter 'B' represent?

    <p>The presence of the independent variable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key difference between reflexes and general behavior traits?

    <p>Reflexes are automatic and rigid responses, while general behavior traits are broader and more adaptable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A _____ study involves a detailed examination of a single case, often used in clinical settings.

    <p>case</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Anecdotal evidence = Personal experience reports Control group = Group not exposed to the independent variable Fluency = Number of correct responses per minute Cumulative record = Graphic record of behavior over time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes a stimulus that an animal or person will avoid?

    <p>Aversive</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Captive animals always exhibit the same behaviors as their wild counterparts.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of a descriptive study?

    <p>To describe a group by obtaining data from its members</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about modal action patterns (MAP) is true?

    <p>MAPs involve complex behaviors of the whole organism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Habituation refers to an increase in the intensity of a reflex response with repeated exposure to a stimulus.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process called that describes evolution through organisms better adapted to their environment?

    <p>Natural selection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The __________ is a relationship between a specific event and a simple response to that event.

    <p>reflex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the independent variable in an experiment?

    <p>The variable that is manipulated</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following concepts with their definitions:

    <p>Hybridization = Crossbreeding of closely related species Mutation = Abrupt change in a gene Releaser = Stimulus that elicits a modal action pattern Stimulus = Any event that affects behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a within-subject experiment, different subjects are exposed to the independent variable.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why has the field mouse not evolved into a larger animal like the grizzly bear?

    <p>Field mice have a survival strategy suited to their environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What procedure helps reduce differences among subjects in between-subjects experiments?

    <p>Matched sampling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Humans are currently evolving based on their behaviors and environments.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The _____ measures how long it takes for a response to begin after a stimulus.

    <p>latency</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following measurements with their definitions:

    <p>Speed = Measures how quickly something is done Rate = Measures how often something is done Latency = Measures the time before a response starts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of behavioral change is considered learning?

    <p>A change in behavior due to experience</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following accurately describes topography in behavioral studies?

    <p>The specific physical form or shape of a behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Both within-subject and between-subjects designs aim to isolate the effect of the dependent variable.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can improvements in topography associated with learning a foreign language be quantified?

    <p>By measuring pronunciation accuracy and speech fluency.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a steeper slope on a cumulative record graph indicate?

    <p>A higher rate of behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Matched sampling aims to create groups that are different in key characteristics.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what type of experiment is statistical analysis generally unnecessary?

    <p>Single-subject experiments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Studying _______________ in animals can lead to more effective treatments for addiction in humans.

    <p>cocaine addiction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the key concepts with their descriptions:

    <p>Cumulative Record = Graphical representation of behavior over time Matched Sampling = Ensures groups are similar in key characteristics Single-Subject Experiment = Focus on the behavior of an individual subject Eyeblinking = Easily measurable behavior for studying learning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one virtue of defining learning as a change in the brain?

    <p>It shows how experience affects brain structure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Eyeblinking is not a valuable behavior for studying learning.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are some limitations of defining learning strictly as a change in the brain?

    <p>It ignores behavioral and cognitive shifts that may not show immediate brain changes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    • Series of related actions found in nearly all members of a species
    • Similar to reflexes due to genetic basis, lack of individual variability
    • Involve the whole organism, not just muscles
    • Elicited by events called releasers (e.g., chemical trails)
    • Examples include migration, mating rituals

    Behavior

    • Way an organism acts towards others
    • General behavior traits are heavily influenced by genes (e.g., anxiety)

    Habituation

    • Decrease in intensity or probability of a reflex response
    • Occurs from repeated exposure to a stimulus

    Learning

    • Change in behavior due to experience

    Hybridization

    • Crossbreeding of closely related species (e.g., wolf-dog)

    Mutation

    • Abrupt change in a gene

    Natural Selection

    • Evolution through organisms better adapted to their environment, resulting in more offspring
    • Driven by environmental conditions (e.g., climate, food)

    Reflex

    • Relationship between an event and a simple response (unconditional reflex)

    Releaser

    • Stimulus that elicits a modal action pattern

    Stimulus

    • Any event that affects behavior

    Human Evolution

    • Humans are still evolving, shaped by behavior and environment
    • Natural selection favors behaviors that increase survival
    • These behaviors are passed down through generations (similar to operant conditioning)
    • Example: resilience of Indigenous people

    Field Mouse vs. Grizzly Bear

    • Evolution favors traits suited to a specific environment and survival strategy
    • Small size, fast speed, and high reproductive rate are advantageous for field mice

    Natural Selection & Environment

    • Environment determines beneficial traits for survival and reproduction
    • Environmental conditions create selective pressures

    Learning & Natural Selection

    • What we learn is part of natural selection
    • Learn cognitive skills to adapt to environmental changes (e.g., finding food, avoiding danger)

    New Reflex for Humans

    • "Alert Reflex" - heightened awareness from environmental cues
    • Increased focus, hearing, and blood flow to muscles

    Natural Selection & Learning

    • Natural selection operates slowly over generations
    • Learning allows rapid adaptation to new situations

    Reflexes, MAPs, and General Behavior Traits

    • Similar: innate, genetically programmed to aid survival
    • Differences: reflexes are simple, MAPs are complex sequences, and general behavior traits are more flexible

    Learning & Adaptability

    • Learning can be non-adaptive (e.g., harmful habits)
    • Not all learned behaviors enhance survival

    Captive vs. Wild Animals

    • Captive animals may behave differently due to controlled environments
    • Their true nature may be revealed in situations requiring natural behavior (e.g., mating rituals)

    ABA Reversal Design

    • Type of experiment where behavior is observed first without, then with, then without, then with a variable.

    Anecdotal Evidence

    • First or secondhand reports of personal experience

    Aversive Stimulus

    • Stimulus an animal or person avoids
    • Removing the aversive stimulus is reinforcing

    Baseline

    • Observation of behavior before any change

    Between-Subjects Experiment

    • Experimental design where an independent variable is applied across different groups

    Case Study

    • Detailed study and description of a single case or person

    Control Group

    • Group not exposed to the independent variable

    Cumulative Record

    • Graphic record of behavior over time. Number of times acted upon since earlier measurement

    Fluency

    • Measure of learning (number of correct responses per minute)

    Dependent Variable

    • Variable being measured

    Descriptive Study

    • Study that describes a group or its members (using surveys)

    Experiment

    • Study where the effect of one or more independent variables on one or more dependent variables is measured, quantifies change.

    Experimental Group

    • Group exposed to the independent variable

    Independent Variable

    • Variable being manipulated by the researcher

    Matched Sampling

    • Matching characteristics (e.g., age, sex) of groups in an experiment to reduce differences

    Within-Subject Experiment

    • Experiment where the same subject undergoes the independent variable over time.

    Topography

    • Physical form or shape of a behavior (exact movements, actions)

    Speed, Rate, Latency

    • Speed: How quickly something is done
    • Rate: How often something is done
    • Latency: Time between stimulus and response

    Learning and Language

    • To quantify changes in language learning (e.g., pronunciation, fluency)

    Rate of Behavior in Cumulative Records

    • Steep slopes = faster rate, flat lines = no action, shows total of occurrences over time

    Matched Sampling

    • Controls variables by ensuring groups are similar in characteristics

    Statistical Analysis

    • Least likely in single-subject experiments where only one person's behavior is observed over time.

    Animal Cruelty in Research

    • Defend animal research for advancing human health and scientific knowledge.

    Eyeblinking

    • Valid behavior for studying learning, easily measurable, and can be conditioned

    Learning Definition

    • Defining learning as a change in the brain produced by experience, is limited & helpful.
    • Considers brain changes and behavior in one analysis.
    • Ignoring non-physical changes like cognitive shifts.
    • Doesn't fully capture complexity of learning like social learning.

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    Related Documents

    PSYC 387 Unit 1 PDF

    Description

    Explore the fascinating concepts of modal action patterns, behavior modification, and genetic influences in animals. This quiz covers essential topics like habituation, learning, hybridization, mutation, and natural selection. Test your understanding of how these concepts intertwine to shape species behaviors.

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