CONCEPT REVIEW GUIDE 2026 BEHAVIORAL
GENETICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES
◉ What are the two major fields of animal behavior study?
Answer: Psychology and Ethology.
◉ Define instinct in animal behavior.
Answer: Reflexes and behavioral patterns inherently present at
birth.
◉ What is habituation?
Answer: Lack of response to a repeated stimulus.
◉ What is conditioning in animal behavior?
Answer: The association between a previously neutral stimulus and
a previously significant stimulus.
◉ What is classical conditioning?
Answer: A formed association between an unconditioned stimulus
and a neutral stimulus.
, ◉ What is operant conditioning?
Answer: Learning to respond to a stimulus as a result of
reinforcement when the proper response is made.
◉ What is the difference between punishment and reward in
operant conditioning?
Answer: Punishment decreases behavior, while reward increases
behavior.
◉ Define reasoning in animal behavior.
Answer: The ability to respond correctly to a stimulus the first time
a new situation is presented.
◉ What is imprinting?
Answer: When young animals bond to their caretaker, usually their
dam.
◉ What is trial and error in animal behavior?
Answer: Trying different responses to a stimulus until the correct
response is achieved.
◉ What is caregiving behavior?
Answer: Behavior that originates from the sire or dam, usually
maternally oriented.