Bio1100
Chapter 37
Behavior and the Environment
Animal
behavior
is defined by response to
stimuli
in the
environment
.
An
innate
(instinctive) behavior is inherited through genes, as when a
sign
stimulus
triggers a fixed
action
pattern (FAP).
Many behaviors are
learned
and can be altered based on previous
experiences
.
Associative
learning
takes place when a behavior is
conditioned
by associating either a stimulus or a behavior with a consequence.
Many animals exhibit
imprinting
during an early stage of development called the
critical
period
.
Some animals are capable of complicated
behaviors
called
cognition
.
Sexually reproducing animals often exhibit reproductive behaviors that result in
sexual
selection.
In many species, females choose their mate in a process called
intersexual
selection
.
Males often
compete
for females in a process called
intrasexual
selection
.
Animals that live in social groups must
communicate
with each
other
.
Some social animals exhibit
altruistic
behavior
, an action that benefits other individuals at a cost to the actor.
Altruistic behavior may have evolutionary adaptations due to
kin
selection
.