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Sign Stimulus

An external cue that triggers a specific automatic behavior.

Fixed Action Pattern (FAP)

A sequence of unlearned behaviors that is triggered by a sign stimulus and runs to completion once started.

Pheromones

Chemical signals released by an animal that affect the behavior or physiology of other members of the same species.

Waggle Dance

A figure-eight dance performed by honeybees to communicate the direction and distance of food sources.

Round Dance

A circular dance performed by honeybees to signal that food is nearby.

Sensitive Period

A limited time in development when an organism is especially able to learn certain behaviors.

Imprinting

A rapid form of learning during a sensitive period in which a young animal forms an attachment.

Cognitive Map

A mental representation of the layout of an environment.

Spatial Learning

Learning about the physical layout of an environment.

Associative Learning

Learning that two events are connected (like a stimulus and a response).

Social Learning

Learning by observing and imitating others.

Culture

Behaviors and knowledge passed from one generation to the next through social learning.

Problem Solving

The ability to use reasoning to overcome new challenges.

Foraging

Searching for and obtaining food.

Monogamous

A mating system in which one male pairs with one female.

Polygamous

A mating system in which an individual has multiple mates.

Polygyny

A type of polygamy where one male mates with multiple females.

Polyandry

A type of polygamy where one female mates with multiple males.

Sexual Dimorphism

Differences in appearance between males and females of the same species.

Inclusive Fitness

An individual’s genetic success based on both personal reproduction and helping relatives reproduce.

Altruism

A behavior that benefits another individual at a cost to oneself.

Coefficient of Relatedness (r)

The probability that two individuals share the same gene from a common ancestor.

Hamilton’s Rule

Altruism is favored when rB > C (relatedness × benefit is greater than cost).

Kin Selection

Natural selection that favors behaviors helping relatives survive and reproduce.