Animal Behavior – Flashcards
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True or False? Behaviorism emphasizes the importance of genetics in shaping behavior.
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False
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The first age period for a puppy to learn fear that will affect it for the rest of its life is a. 2 to 4 weeks. b. 4 to 6 weeks. c. 6 to 8 weeks. d. 8 to 10 weeks
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d
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The best techniques for housebreaking involve use of a. negative reinforcement. b. punishment. c. positive reinforcement. d. experimental learning
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c
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The critical socialization period for felines occurs between a. 2 and 8 weeks of age. b. 6 and 14 weeks of age. c. 4 and 12 weeks of age. d. 4 and 14 weeks of age.
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a
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Multiple-cat households should have a. fewer litter boxes than cats. b. at least as many litter boxes as cats. c. twice the number of litter boxes as cats. d. three times the number of litter boxes as cats
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b
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Puppies and kittens learn to interact with their own species during a. the first two weeks of life. b. puberty. c. the period after puberty. d. the critical period.
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d
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Inherited or genetically coded responses to environmental stimuli are also called a. imprints. b. instincts. c. functions. d. experiential learning.
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b
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For positive reinforcement to be effective, the pleasant event must occur within _______ seconds of the behavior. a. 20 b. 60 c. 90 d. 180
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a
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Aggression that an animal learns to avoid an uncomfortable stimulus is called _______ aggression. a. territorial b. pain-induced c. conflict-related d. fear-induced
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c
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A dog that exhibits destructive behavior only when the owners are away is most likely suffering from a. separation anxiety. b. spiteful behavior. c. fear-induced aggression. d. territorial aggression.
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a
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An animal that doesn't give a warning or threat prior to biting is most likely exhibiting a. conflict-related aggression. b. maternal aggression. c. predatory aggression. d. fear-induced aggression.
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c
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Initial behavior modification sessions should last no more than _______ minutes a. 5 b. 10 c. 30 d. 60
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a
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True or False? The goal of reprimanding a pet is to associate a behavior with danger or disorientation.
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True
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The behavior modification technique that involves elimination of a problem behavior by completely removing the reinforcement for the behavior is a. habituation. b. extinction. c. reprimand. d. aversion.
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b
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Long-term pharmaceutical approaches to problem behavior usually involve administration of a. anesthetics. b. hormones. c. tranquilizers. d. sedatives.
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b
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One of the best ways to correct a biting habit in birds is to use a a. correction. b. cage cover. c. loud reprimand. d. wobble.
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d
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behavior modification programs
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Training courses that use rewards and reprimands to stimulate changes in behavior.
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behaviorism
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The ethological approach that states behavior is learned rather than genetically programmed.
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breaking litter box training
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When a cat urinates or defecates someplace other than its litter box.
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classical conditioning
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The type of conditioned learning that associates stimuli occurring at approximately the same time or in roughly the same area.
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classical ethology
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The ethological approach asserting that much of what animals know is instinctive or innate.
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conditioned stimulus
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Sensory input unrelated to a simple reflex behavior.
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dance
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A complex pattern of movements performed by a bee that directs other bees to a food source.
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ethology
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The study of animal behavior.
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evolution
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The scientific theory that characterizes all related organisms as descended from common ancestors.
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fixed action patterns
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A term used by early ethologists to describe stereotypical or predictable behaviors of a species.
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function
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In ethological terms, survival value.
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habituation
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The process of learning that certain objects and events have little bearing on survival and can thus be ignored.
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house soiling
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Urinating or defecating inside the home.
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imprinting
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The acquisition in the very young of certain fixed action patterns.
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innate
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Instinctive.
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instinct
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A complex of unlearned responses characteristic of a species.
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instrumental learning
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Learning by trial and error.
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natural selection
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The process that awards survival and reproductive success to individuals and groups best adjusted to their environment.
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naturalists
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Natural scientists.
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nature-nurture controversy
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The crux of two opposing schools: classical ethology, which views animal behavior as primarily instinctive, and animal psychology, which views animal behavior as primarily learned.
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operant conditioning
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The type of conditioned learning that associates a certain activity, known as the operant, with punishment or reward.
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operant
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Functioning or tending to produce effects.
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postparturition
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After giving birth to offspring
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recognition of individuals
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The process that allows animals to distinguish their place in a social context broader than their relationship with primary caregivers.
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sensitive period
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A specific stage early in an animal's life when imprinting occurs.
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social behavior
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The ways individual members of the same species interact with one another
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socialization
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The process of adapting to contact with others.
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sociobiology
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The study of the biological bases of social behavior.
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spraying
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Staining vertical surfaces with a strong-smelling urine.
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stimulus-response theory
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The psychological school of thought stating that all complex forms of behavior, including emotions, thoughts, and habits, are complex muscular and glandular responses that can be observed and measured.
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territorial
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Prone to defining and defending areas of sleep, eating, exercise, and play.
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unconditioned response
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A simple reflex behavior.
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unconditioned stimulus
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Sensory input that produces a simple reflex behavior.
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wobble
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A training maneuver designed to disorient a bird by abruptly dropping the hand it's perched upon.
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The four essential aspects of successful training are A. food, praise, stimulation, and exercise. B. a leash, collar, choke chain, and shake can. C. instinct, conditioning, education, and observation. D. reward, reprimand, trust, and consistency.
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d
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According to Charles Darwin, what biological mechanism allows members of the same species to respond appropriately to various conditions in the natural world? A. Instinct B. Nurture C. Conditioning D. Selective breeding
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a
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The process by which an animal becomes accustomed to its situation is referred to as A. desensitizing. B. nurturing. C. aggression. D. habituation.
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d
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What do we call an immediate pleasant occurrence that follows a behavior? A. Startling B. Habituation C. Negative reinforcement D. Positive reinforcement
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d
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Animal behavior researchers often refer to an activity associated with punishment or reward as a/an A. operant. B. condition. C. stimulus. D. response
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a
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Until approximately what age does the sensitive period last among dogs? A. Two weeks B. Fourteen weeks C. Twenty weeks D. Ten months
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b
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The most commonly reported behavior problem in cats is A. aggression. B. breaking litter box training. C. depression. D. pouncing
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b
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Which of the following theories asserts that all animal activity is learned, rather than genetically programmed? A. Naturalism B. Behaviorism C. Biology D. Socialism
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b
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The most common form of aggression seen in animal hospitals is A. conflict-related. B. maternal. C. fear-induced. D. learned.
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c
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The point of a reprimand is to _______ an animal. A. punish B. frighten C. startle D. irritate
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c
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Upon reaching sexual maturity, male dogs and cats may mark their territory through A. regurgitating. B. spraying. C. neutering. D. biting.
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b
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Which of the following are considered the most effective types of reward? A. Food and praise B. Light and sound C. Noise and water D. Rest and isolation
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a
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We commonly refer to early bonding with an object or animal as A. priming. B. sensitizing. C. imprinting. D. socializing.
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c
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The most effective way to minimize spraying is A. pharmaceutical therapy. B. gonadal hormone therapy. C. neutering. D. aversion therapy
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c
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Automatic, or simple reflex, behavior is commonly referred to as A. a conditioned response. B. operant conditioning. C. spatial motivation. D. an unconditioned response.
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d
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Pharmaceutical therapy for behavior modification can cause A. increased territorial behavior. B. increased blood glucose. C. hyperactivity. D. anorexia.
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b
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Learning through trial and error is often referred to as _______ learning. A. instinctive B. instructive C. inherited D. instrumental
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d
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Early researchers often referred to the predictable behaviors displayed by a particular species as A. fixed action patterns. B. sociobiology habits. C. routine reflex responses. D. random-access patterns.
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a
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The type of behavior modification in which you would gradually expose an animal to something it's afraid of is A. environmental modification. B. desensitization. C. punishment. D. counter conditioning.
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b
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Biologists and veterinary specialists refer to the study of animal behavior as A. ethnology. B. etiology. C. ethology. D. ecology
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c
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The aggression a dog shows when its owner tries to take its food bowl is called _______ aggression. A. fear-induced B. conflict-related C. maternal D. territorial
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b
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In cats, the sensitive socialization period lasts until approximately _______ of age. A. six weeks B. eight weeks C. six months D. eight months
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b
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What behavior modification technique is used to keep an animal away from an object or area? A. Habituation B. Avoidance therapy C. Aversion therapy D. Desensitization
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c
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What must first be done before treating an animal for a behavioral problem? A. Ruling out a medical problem B. Giving the animal a behavioral exam C. Determining the cause D. Changing the environment
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a
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What do we call the act of taking something away to increase a behavior? A. Punishment B. Negative punishment C. Positive reinforcement D. Negative reinforcement
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d
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postparturition
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After giving birth to offspring
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