A.4 – Innate and learned behavior A.6 - Ethology

All organisms have innate behaviors that are inherited from parents that develop independently from the environment These are often thought of as reflexes, although they are more correctly referred to as autonomic or involuntary responses. A reflex arc is comprised of the neurons that mediate reflexes. The reflex arc for a withdrawal from a painful stove can be seen to the left. You can condition your reflexes through forming new associations of neurons.

Imprinting is learning that occurs during a particular life stage and is independent of consequences of behavior. We can see the effects of imprinting in waterfowl particularly, as ducks and geese often will imprint on animals other than their biological mother. Konrad Lorenz was the first ethologist to understand imprinting, and in his famous experiment, had several geese follow him around after they imprinted on him when they were born.

Ethology is the study of animal behavior in natural conditions. Natural selection can change the frequency of observed animal behavior Behavior that increases the chances of survival and reproduction will become more prevalent in a population. Learned behavior can spread through a population or be lost from it more rapidly than innate behavior. Seven examples of unique animal behaviors: Click on the images to a link of their special behavior. Classify each as one of the following: Innate Behavior Learned Behavior Mate Selection Behavior affecting survival and reproduction Optimal Prey choice Altruistic behavior Migratory Behavior