Animal Behaviour

Which of the following is an example of an innate behavior?

A. 

Humans learning a language

B. 

A dog that sits on command

C. 

A bird begins to sing after watching and mimicking other birds

D. 

A bird instinctively migrating south for the winter

E. 

A fish avoiding predators after repeated encounters

A bird instinctively migrating south for the winter

Which of the following best defines a complex reflex?

A.

A learned behavior that becomes automatic after repeated practice

B.

A sensory neuron that directly synapses with a motor neuron for a quick response

C.

A voluntary action that involves the brain and spinal cord

D.

A reflex that bypasses the brain and only involves the spinal cord

E.

A reflex that uses interneurons and typically involves both the brain and spinal cord

A reflex that uses interneurons and typically involves both the brain and spinal cord

Which of the following is true about fixed action patterns?

A. 

They develop by associating a neutral stimulus with a specific response

B. 

They are initiated by a specific stimulus and will be completed even if the stimulus is removed

C. 

They vary between individuals of the same species

D. 

An individual does not exhibit it until they are mature

E. 

They require conditioning and are dependent on past experiences

They are initiated by a specific stimulus and will be completed even if the stimulus is removed

All of the following are examples of imprinting EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A. 

Fish migrating to a new habitat with more resources to lay their eggs

B. 

A baby duckling following its mother very closely after hatching

C. 

Falcons using their natal experiences to shape their future nest selection preferences

D. 

A young bird forming a bond with the first moving object it sees after hatching

E. 

Sea turtles returning to their birth area to lay their eggs years later

Fish migrating to a new habitat with more resources to lay their eggs

Which of the following is an example of a simple reflex?

A. 

A baby grasping a finger placed in its palm

B. 

Swallowing a food bolus

C. 

Blinking when an object touches the eye

D. 

Pulling back the leg when stepping on something sharp

E. 

Yawning after seeing someone else yawn

Blinking when an object touches the eye

Which of the following best describes the goal of classical conditioning?

A. 

Convert a neutral stimulus to a conditioned stimulus to trigger a conditioned response

B. 

Strengthen a connection between a behavior and its consequence

C. 

Intensify a natural response through repeated exposure to the stimulus

D. 

Turn a conditioned stimulus back into a neutral stimulus through repeated exposure to the stimulus

E. 

Distinguish between similar stimuli and respond only to the specific conditioned stimulus

Convert a neutral stimulus to a conditioned stimulus to trigger a conditioned response

In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus initially results in the _________.

A. 

Negative response

B. 

No response

C. 

Positive response

D. 

Unconditioned response

E. 

Conditioned response

No response

A puppy goes to the vet for the first time and receives a vaccination shot, which causes fear and anxiety. On the puppy’s next visit, it shows signs of anxiety upon arriving at the vet, even before receiving a shot. In this example, what is the conditioned stimulus?

A. 

The fear and anxiety experienced by the puppy

B. 

The memory of the first visit

C. 

The puppy’s response to the actual shot

D. 

The pain caused by the shot

E. 

The sight of the vet’s office

The sight of the vet’s office

Initially, the vet’s office serves as the neutral stimulus, while the shot is the unconditioned stimulus that leads to the unconditioned response of fear. The puppy learns to associate the vet’s office with the pain of the shot. On the next visit, simply seeing the vet’s office causes the puppy to start shaking with fear, even though it has not received a shot yet. In this case, the sight of the vet’s office, originally the neutral stimulus, has now become the conditioned stimulus that elicits a conditioned response of fear.

In Pavlov’s dog experiments, what term would be used to describe the meat that caused the dogs to salivate?

A. 

Conditioned stimulus

B. 

Neutral stimulus

C. 

Unconditioned stimulus

D. 

Unconditioned response

E. 

Conditioned response

Unconditioned stimulus

Which of the following demonstrates a conditioned response in classical conditioning in dolphin training?

A. 

A dolphin swims to the trainer after seeing them holding a fish

B. 

A dolphin swims to the surface to get air after performing their routine

C. 

A dolphin salivates after hearing a bell that was repeatedly paired with fish.

D. 

A dolphin opens its mouth at the sight of fish in the trainer’s hand

E. 

A dolphin uses echolocation to communicate with another nearby dolphin

A dolphin salivates after hearing a bell that was repeatedly paired with fish.

Which of the following is an example of negative reinforcement?

A. 

Taking away a child’s video game for missing school

B. 

Giving a child extra chores after they break a house rule

C. 

Rewarding a student with extra credit for turning homework in early

D. 

Allowing students to skip the final if they have an A in the class

E. 

Not letting a child have ice cream because they did not eat their dinner

Allowing students to skip the final if they have an A in the class

A young otter learns how to crack open mussels by seeing its parent repeatedly use a rock to break them open and eventually adopts this same technique. What type of learning does this represent?

A. 

Classical conditioning

B. 

Insight learning

C. 

Spatial learning

D. 

Operant conditioning

E. 

Social learning

Social learning

A dog that barks excessively is given a bark collar that transmits a small shock each time it barks. Which type of operant conditioning is this an example of?

A. 

Positive reinforcement

B. 

Positive punishment

C. 

Neutral punishment

D. 

Negative punishment

E. 

Negative reinforcement

Positive punishment

Squirrels using landmarks, like nearby trees, to relocate hidden food caches demonstrates that they are capable of ________.

A. 

Insight learning

B. 

Spatial learning

C. 

Observational learning

D. 

Classical conditioning

E. 

Positive reinforcement

Spatial learning

Which of the following is an example of insight?

A. 

Young beavers learn to build and repair dams by watching their parents

B. 

A raven accidentally drops a nut on the road, and after a car cracks it open, begins purposefully dropping nuts on the road

C. 

A mouse navigates a maze to reach food at the end, improving its speed with each attempt

D. 

A chimpanzee sees another one reaching for food with a stick and starts using a stick too

E. 

Using large rocks and plants as landmarks, desert lizards find their way back to their burrows after foraging

A raven accidentally drops a nut on the road, and after a car cracks it open, begins purposefully dropping nuts on the road (figuring out on its own)

After a child’s fear of thunder appears to have faded once the thunderstorm season ends, it unexpectedly returns during a thunderstorm months later, despite no recent exposure. This phenomenon is known as __________.

A. 

Spontaneous recovery

B. 

Habituation

C. 

Sensitization

D. 

Discrimination

E. 

Extinction

Spontaneous recovery

A dog learns to tell the difference between the similar sounds of the doorbell and the cooking timer, barking only when it hears the doorbell ring. This behavior is an example of __________.

A. 

Generalization

B. 

Discrimination

C. 

Insight

D. 

Selectivity

E. 

Positive reinforcement

Discrimination

All of the following are true regarding habituation EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A. 

It leads to a diminished response to a repeated stimulus

B. 

It helps animals ignore non-threatening, repeated stimuli

C. 

The response may return if the stimulus is absent for a prolonged period

D. 

It depends on reinforcement to develop the behavior

E. 

The learning remains even if the stimulus is temporarily absent

It depends on reinforcement to develop the behavior. Habituation is a learned behavior that results in a decreased response to a repeated stimulus that has no significant effect over time. This allows individuals to ignore non-threatening stimuli and conserve energy for more important tasks.

A child tries asparagus and spits it out. The next time they are given a similar-looking green bean, they refuse to try it. Which type of learning is this an example of?

A.

Sensitization

B.

Conditioned response

C.

Discrimination

D.

Social learning

E.

Generalization

Generalization

Which of the following is an example of sensitization?

A.

A dog becomes increasingly scared of thunderstorms after repeated exposure

B.

A person becomes afraid of all flying insects after being stung by a bee

C.

A bird mimics the call of another nearby bird

D.

A bee selects flowers of a specific color, avoiding flowers of other colors

E.

A person stops noticing the sound of a ticking clock over time

A dog becomes increasingly scared of thunderstorms after repeated exposure. Opposite of habituation

All of the following are benefits of courtship rituals EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A. 

Increases the chances of producing healthy offspring

B. 

Helps reinforce species-specific mating behaviors

C. 

Allows individuals to assess the health and fitness of potential mates

D. 

Increases chances of a hybrid offspring with higher fitness

E. 

Facilitates fertilization that depends on precise timing and location

Increases chances of a hybrid offspring with higher fitness

A dog mother licking her puppies to display affection is an example of which type of communication?

A. 

Tactile

B. 

Territorial

C. 

Dominant

D. 

Visual

E. 

Chemical

Tactile

In termite colonies, the queen releases pheromones that affect the biological development of various castes (like workers, soldiers, or reproductives), among other termites. What type of pheromone is this an example of?

A. 

Releaser pheromones

B. 

Niche pheromones

C. 

Primer pheromones

D. 

Aggregation pheromones

E. 

Trail pheromones

Primer pheromones

Which of the following is an example of visual communication?

A. 

An ant releasing pheromones to mark its path

B. 

A bird puffing up its chest to claim its territory

C. 

A wolf howling to alert other pack members

D. 

A cat rubbing its body on objects to leave its scent

E. 

Elephants touching trunks to show affection

A bird puffing up its chest to claim its territory

Which of the following best defines releaser pheromones?

A. 

A chemical signal that causes long-term physiological changes

B. 

A chemical that promotes social bonding within groups

C. 

A compound that induces stress responses

D. 

A scent that marks boundaries and establishes territories

E. 

A chemical signal that causes immediate and temporary behavioral changes in other individuals

A chemical signal that causes immediate and temporary behavioral changes in other individuals - not long-term like primer pheromones

Kinesis is the change in the ________ of an organism in response to a stimulus.

A. 

Direction of movement

B. 

Rate of reproduction

C. 

Coloration

D. 

Rate of movement

E. 

Intensity of a reaction

Rate of movement

An ant follows a trail of pheromones laid down by other ants to find food. What type of movement is this?

A. 

Positive kinesis

B. 

Negative chemotaxis

C. 

Positive chemotaxis

D. 

Positive phototaxis

E. 

Negative phototaxis

Positive chemotaxis

Salmon traveling back to the location where they were born to breed is an example of which type of movement?

A. 

Positive phototaxis

B. 

Kinesis

C. 

Negative chemotaxis

D. 

Dispersal

E. 

Migration

Migration

When a light shines on cockroaches, they quickly speed up and scurry away. Which types of movement are being displayed?

A. 

Negative phototaxis and migration

B. 

Kinesis and negative phototaxis

C. 

Positive chemotaxis and kinesis

D. 

Positive phototaxis and kinesis

E. 

Migration and negative chemotaxis

Kinesis and negative phototaxis

When a lizard enters a shaded area on a hot day, it slows down and stays in the cooler environment. What type of movement is this an example of?

A. 

Positive phototaxis

B. 

Negative chemotaxis

C. 

Hibernation

D. 

Kinesis

E. 

Transpiration

Kinesis

A less attractive individual is observed with a mate, and as a result, becomes more likely to be selected by others. Which behavior is this an example of?

A. 

Polyandry

B. 

Hierarchical dominance

C. 

Mate choice copying

D. 

Inclusive fitness

E. 

Territorialism

Mate choice copying

Which of the following is an example of kin selection?

A. 

A bird aids its sibling in finding shelter rather than an unrelated bird

B. 

A cheetah hunts alone to secure food for itself

C. 

A wolf defends its pack leader rather than assisting its offspring

D. 

A raccoon shares food with an unrelated raccoon

E. 

A hamster prefers to mate with a partner that other hamsters have chosen

A bird aids its sibling in finding shelter rather than an unrelated bird

In reciprocal altruism, an individual helps _____________.

A. 

A close relative

B. 

A member of a different species

C. 

Their offspring

D. 

An unrelated member of the same species

E. 

Their future self

An unrelated member of the same species

A Humboldt squid reproduces only once in its lifetime, laying a large batch of eggs and dying shortly after they hatch. Which reproductive strategy does this describe?

A. 

Viviparity

B. 

Parthenogenesis

C. 

Semelparity

D. 

Iteroparity

E. 

Uniparity

Semelparity

Which of the following concepts BEST explains why Pete Davidson, an average-looking guy, has been able to continuously date women (Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande, Madelyn Cline) who are, to put it nicely, out of his league?

A. 

Hierarchical dominance

B. 

Mate choice copying

C. 

Inclusive fitness

D. 

Kin selection

E. 

Game theory

Mate choice copying

What is the primary outcome of game theory dynamics within a species?

A. 

A shift to cooperative behaviors across the population

B. 

The emergence of entirely new genetic variations due to strategy shifts

C. 

Temporary alliances formed between groups to outcompete others

D. 

A decrease in overall genetic diversity due to competition

E. 

Cyclic fluctuations in traits or behaviors within the population

Cyclic fluctuations in traits or behaviors within the population

What is the main goal of foraging behavior in animals?

A. 

To secure the largest territory with the most abundant resources

B. 

To maximize food obtained while minimizing energy expenditure and risks

C. 

To burn as many calories as possible to maximize fitness

D. 

To minimize the need for food by conserving energy

E. 

To maximize the amount of food obtained by hunting in groups

To maximize food obtained while minimizing energy expenditure and risks

An owl focuses on the skittish movements of small animals like mice to improve its hunting efficiency. Which foraging behavior does this exemplify?

A. 

Kin selection

B. 

Collective vigilance

C. 

Concealment

D. 

Search image

E. 

Dilution

Search images

All of the following are considered strategies for concealment in animals EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A. 

Increasing group size to reduce individual visibility

B. 

Disrupting the predator’s visual perception with confusing signals

C. 

Intimidating predators by appearing larger or more threatening

D. 

Using the dilution effect to reduce predation risk

E. 

Overwhelming the predator’s sensory perception

Intimidating predators by appearing larger or more threatening

Which of the following is an example of collective vigilance in animals?

A. 

A wolf pack hunting together to catch larger prey

B. 

A lion defending its resources against intruders

C. 

A school of fish creating confusing visual signals by swimming in tight formations

D. 

A lone cheetah stalking a group of prey

E. 

A few pigeons keeping watch for hawks while others feed on the ground

A few pigeons keeping watch for hawks while others feed on the ground

A herd of elephants encircling their young best demonstrates what form of animal behavior?

A. 

Defensive behavior

B. 

Camouflaging

C. 

Migrating

D. 

Foraging

E. 

Navigating

Defensive behavior