ANIMAL BEHAVIOR DUSTIN RUBENSTEIN CONCEPT REVIEW GUIDE 2026 BEHAVIORAL GENETICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR DUSTIN RUBENSTEIN
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.