4. Genetics

altruistic behavior

Behavior that benefits others while reducing the individual’s own fitness.

behavior

Any action performed by an organism, often in response to its environment or other organisms.

communication

An action or signal by one organism that alters the behavior of another organism.

evolutionary mismatch

A situation in which traits that were adaptive in an organism’s ancestral environment are no longer adaptive in the modern environment.

evolutionary psychology

The field of study that examines how the processes of evolution shape behavior and the mind.

female

In biological terms, the sex that produces the larger, nutrient

fixed action pattern

A sequence of behaviors that occurs in exactly the same way every time, once triggered by a specific stimulus.

group selection

The idea that behaviors that benefit the group may evolve, even if they reduce the fitness of the individual exhibiting them.

honest signal

A signal that conveys accurate information about an individual’s condition or intentions.

inclusive fitness

The total impact an individual has on passing on its genes, including its own offspring and those of relatives who share some of the same genes.

innate behavior

A behavior that does not require learning or prior experience to be performed correctly.

instinct

An inherited, fixed pattern of behavior that appears fully functional the first time it is performed.

kin selection

A form of natural selection that favors behaviors which increase the reproductive success of relatives.

language

A system of communication that involves the use of symbols, such as words or sounds, governed by grammatical rules.

learning

The alteration of behavior as a result of experience.

male

In biological terms, the sex that produces the smaller, more motile gamete (sperm).

mate guarding

A behavior in which an individual prevents its partner from mating with others to ensure its own reproductive success.

mating system

The pattern of mating behavior among males and females in a population, including monogamy and polygamy.

monogamy

A mating system in which one male mates exclusively with one female.

nuptial gift

A resource or item offered by one mating partner (usually a male) to another (usually a female) that may influence mating success.

pair bond

A long-term association between two individuals, often involving cooperative care of offspring.

paternity uncertainty

The situation in which a male cannot be sure that offspring produced by a female are genetically his.

pheromone

A chemical signal released by an individual that triggers a social response in members of the same species.

polyandry

A mating system in which one female mates with multiple males.

polygamy

A mating system in which an individual of one sex mates with multiple individuals of the opposite sex.

polygyny

A mating system in which one male mates with multiple females.

prepared learning

Behaviors learned easily and by all individuals of a species, often because of evolutionary preparedness.

reciprocal altruism

Behavior that involves helping another individual with the expectation that the favor will be returned in the future.

reproductive investment

The energy and resources a parent expends in producing and caring for offspring.

sexual dimorphism

Differences in physical or behavioral traits between males and females of the same species.

sign stimulus

A specific external cue that triggers a fixed action pattern.

total reproductive output

The total number of offspring an individual produces over its lifetime.