What do we call biologically determined innate patterns of behavior


  • Q25:

    Salmon swimming upstream to spawn are an example of __________ A) incentives. B) motives. C) instinct. D) needs .

  • Q26:

    Things that attract or lure people to action are __________ A) instincts. B) incentives. C) stimuli. D) bait.

  • Q27:

    Primary drives are caused by __________ A) exceptions to the drive-reduction principle. B) learned behaviors. C) stimuli within the body. D) stimuli outside the body.

  • Q28:

    Meghan, a four-year-old, spends hours drawing with colored crayons. She finds this activity very enjoyable. For Meghan, coloring is maintained by __________ A) incentive. B) intrinsic motivation. C) extrinsic motivation. D) biological motives.

  • Q29:

    A fixed behavior pattern that is characteristic of all members of a particular species and is assumed to be genetically programmed is __________ A) a reflex. B) a genetic motive. C) an imperative. D) an instinct.

  • Q31:

    Sharon happily went to work for 10 years enjoying every aspect of her job. However, when Sharon was recently informed that her salary would be cut 10% because her company was struggling, Sharon quit to look for another job. Sharon had lost __________ A) a biological motive. B) her drive. C) an extrinsic motivation. D) her intrinsic motivation.

  • Q32:

    The pursuit of an activity for external reward is called __________ A) the need for affiliation. B) intrinsic motivation. C) extrinsic motivation. D) a mastery goal.

  • Q33:

    Spiders spin intricate webs without being taught by other spiders. This is an example of a(n) __________ A) biological motive. B) extrinsic motive. C) instinct. D) incentive.

  • Q34:

    The biological concept of homeostasis is the basis for the __________ A) drive-reduction theory of motivation. B) incentive theory of motivation. C) learning theory of motivation. D) arousal theory of motivation.

  • Q35:

    A desire to perform a behavior to obtain an external reward or avoid punishment is known as __________ A) primary motivation. B) intrinsic motivation. C) secondary motivation. D) extrinsic motivation.

Video Transcript

Biologically determined. Inborn patterns of behavior are known as instincts. That's this one is instincts and these are any kind of behavior but do not need to be learned. So any behavior that does not need to be learned. At its simplest, we have fixed action patterns like the honeybee dance, but there are also more complex instincts as well. The, for example, meeting behavior so songbird calls or nest building and so on, are all instincts. So it's any behavior that is not based on learning, so it is not based on experience.

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF
  • Page ID6676
  • Is this Blue-footed Booby actually dancing?

    The courtship of the Blue-footed Booby consists of the male flaunting his blue feet and dancing to impress the female. During the dance, the male will spread his wings and stamp his feet on the ground. Are these birds born with this skill, or do they learn it?

    Innate Behavior

    Behaviors that are closely controlled by genes with little or no environmental influence are called innate behaviors. These are behaviors that occur naturally in all members of a species whenever they are exposed to a certain stimulus. Innate behaviors do not have to be learned or practiced. They are also called instinctive behaviors. An instinct is the ability of an animal to perform a behavior the first time it is exposed to the proper stimulus. For example, a dog will drool the first time—and every time—it is exposed to food.

    Significance of Innate Behavior

    Innate behaviors are rigid and predictable. All members of the species perform the behaviors in the same way. Innate behaviors usually involve basic life functions, such as finding food or caring for offspring. Several examples are shown in Figure below. If an animal were to perform such important behaviors incorrectly, it would be less likely to survive or reproduce.

    Examples of Innate Behavior. These innate behaviors are necessary for survival or reproduction. Can you explain why each behavior is important?

    Intelligence and Innate Behavior

    Innate behaviors occur in all animals. However, they are less common in species with higher levels of intelligence. Humans are the most intelligent species, and they have very few innate behaviors. The only innate behaviors in humans are reflexes. A reflex is a response that always occurs when a certain stimulus is present. For example, a human infant will grasp an object, such as a finger, that is placed in its palm. The infant has no control over this reaction because it is innate. Other than reflexes such as this, human behaviors are learned–or at least influenced by experience—rather than being innate.

    Innate Behavior in Human Beings

    All animals have innate behaviors, even human beings. Can you think of human behaviors that do not have to be learned? Chances are, you will have a hard time thinking of any. The only truly innate behaviors in humans are called reflex behaviors. They occur mainly in babies. Like innate behaviors in other animals, reflex behaviors in human babies may help them survive.

    An example of a reflex behavior in babies is the sucking reflex. Newborns instinctively suck on a nipple that is placed in their mouth. It is easy to see how this behavior evolved. It increases the chances of a baby feeding and surviving. Another example of a reflex behavior in babies is the grasp reflex (Figure below). Babies instinctively grasp an object placed in the palm of their hand. Their grip may be surprisingly strong. How do you think this behavior might increase a baby’s chances of surviving?

    One of the few innate behaviors in human beings is the grasp reflex. It occurs only in babies.

    Summary

    • Innate behaviors are instinctive. They are controlled by genes and always occur in the same way.
    • Innate behaviors do not have to be learned or practiced.
    • Innate behaviors generally involve basic life functions, so it’s important that they be performed correctly.

    Review

    1. What are innate behaviors? Give an example.
    2. What would happen to an individual who poorly performs innate behaviors?
    3. What is an instinct?

    What is innate behavior in biology?

    Key points. Innate behavior is behavior that's genetically hardwired in an organism and can be performed in response to a cue without prior experience. Reflex actions, such as the knee-jerk reflex tested by doctors and the sucking reflex of human infants, are very simple innate behaviors.

    What are the two types of innate behaviors?

    There are two types of innate behavior reflex and instinct.

    What is innate behavior in humans?

    Innate or "instinctive" behaviors are inborn and do not require learning or prior experience to be performed. Examples include courtship and sexual behaviors, escape and defensive maneuvers, and aggression.

    What is instinctual behaviour?

    How do you define instinctive behaviour? People often use the terms “instinctive” or “innate” to describe behaviours that are not learned, i.e. behaviours you already know how to do for the first time. Instinctive behaviours are important for promoting the survival of your genes and thereby your species.