Overview
Fixed action patterns (FAPs) are instinctive behaviors that occur in response to specific stimuli, playing a crucial role in the survival and reproduction of animals. These behaviors are automatic and consistent across individuals of the same species, making them a key focus in the study of ethology...
Key Terms
Example: A baby bird instinctively opens its mouth for food.
Example: The sight of a predator can trigger a flight response.
Example: Ethologists observe animal interactions in the wild.
Example: The courtship dance of a bird is a behavioral sequence.
Example: The sight of an egg can trigger a goose to retrieve it.
Example: Peacocks display their feathers during courtship.
Related Topics
Key Concepts
instinctive behaviorstimulus-responseanimal behaviorethology