Chapter 2: Instincts, Imprinting, and Behavior — Fill-in-the-Blank Review

Fill-in-the-blank flashcards drawn from notes on instincts, imprinting, behavior, and related concepts.

What pattern of behaviors occurs when one human recognizes another? __

Smile and briefly raise eyebrows

What does William James believe about instincts? __

Instincts are tendencies, not uniform

What are the two principles that explain the variability of instincts? __

Habit can inhibit an instinct; some instincts are transitory

What are the three components of instincts according to McDougall? __

Cognitive, affective, conative

Why did Kuo say instincts are not the motive forces of behavior? __

They are learned

What did Tolman believe about instinct and behavior? __

Goals are fixed; means to achieve them vary

What is the difference between consummatory and appetitive behavior? __

Consummatory is fixed; appetitive is flexible

What do we call stimuli that release behavior more effectively than the normal stimulus? __

Supernormal key stimuli

What choice do ringed plovers make between their eggs and black/white spotted eggs? __

Their own eggs

Define imprinting. __

When an animal develops a strong, early attachment to a specific object or individual during a critical period in development

What are Lorenz’s three major characteristics of imprinting? __

Occurs during a critical period; permanent; independent of reward

What do frog eye receptors respond to? __

Small, round moving objects

What difference does longevity make according to Mayr? __

Short-lived species have closed programs

What four facial expressions are not learned and appear cross-culturally? __

Smiling, laughing, weeping, frowning

What do Hager & Ekman say about the face? __

Face is a long-distance transmitter of emotion

What did Eibl-Eibesfeldt suggest about kissing? __

Kissing is a feeding behavior ritualized

What happens in mobbing behavior? __

Prey attack a predator as a group

When and why do males kill young of their species? __

When a new male replaces the old dominant male

How is serious injury avoided in intraspecific conflict? __

Loser signals submission; aggression stops

What does Cosmides suggest was the origin of war? __

To gain increased access to women

Why is it advantageous to feed in a group? __

Protection from predators; increased feeding efficiency

What are the principles of instincts according to William James? __

Instincts are like reflexes; triggered by sensory stimuli

What are the components of instincts according to McDougall? __

Cognitive; Affective (striving); Conative

What are the characteristics of imprinting as defined by Lorenz? __

Occurs during a critical period; permanent; independent of reward

What are the advantages of group feeding? __

Protection from predators; Increased feeding efficiency; Easier to find food sources

What is simultaneous ambivalent behavior? __

Expressing two conflicting states at the same time

What is redirected behavior? __

Expressing a motive toward an unrelated target

What is displacement activity? __

Irrelevant behavior unrelated to the conflict