6.2 Defintion

Innate behaviors

• instincts

• Behaviors that do not have to be learned

• Usually triggered by specific types of stimuli

Learning

Modal Action Pattern

Sign stimulus → releasing mechanism (Neural) → Action Pattern

• Used to be called “Fixed Action Patterns”, but is not entirely unchangeable

Classical conditioning

A neutral stimulus is paired with a natural response behavior

• (e.g., Pavlov and his bell, avoid certain smells)

Operant Conditioning

A response behavior is increased or decreased based on pairing it with reinforcement/punishment

• rats pushing a lever →get a treat → keep pushing the lever

• eat something gross → throw up →don’t eat something gross

Observational Learning

Organisms learn by observing and imitating others

• tool use

Zugunruhe

“Migratory restlessness”

innate behaviors evolve when:

• the environment is predictable

• there’s no opportunity to learn ( not having the behavior is BAD)

Learning evolves when:

• the environment is unpredictable

• there is opportunity to learn

Cost of learning behaviors:

• You can learn the wrong thing

• needs a lot of brain tissue/ metabolism\

• learning is trial and error, but sometimes error = death