Innate Behavior - Assignment Example

Question 1

Behavior refers to a more or less precise directed human system of developed functions that are directed towards reproduction and survival. The behavior of an animal can be determined by making observations on how the animal responds to a certain set of stimuli. Such behavior is described as overt behavior. These overt behaviors can further be classifies as innate, learned or complex depending on how the behavior comes into place. Sometimes innate behavior is also referred to as intrinsic behavior (Meyer, 2006)

Innate behavior explains genetically inscribed programme about how an individual or an animal will respond to certain specific stimuli or circumstances. It has been noted that individuals inherit behavior just as they inherit traits from their parents. Innate behaviors take the forms of reflex, orientation behaviors or Fixed Action Pattern (FAP). Reflex as the simplest form of innate behavior is simply a biological reflex arc. A reflex arc is a neurological pathway that involves a motor and a sensory neuron to effect a response to a stimuli (Bee & Boyd, 2009). Orientation behaviors on the other hand are survival adaptations that involve coordinated movements in response to stimuli. Fixed Action Pattern (FAP) refers to a set of coordinated movements that are performed in continuity without interruption (Meyer, 2006)

Question 2

Classical conditioning refers to a process in which an individual learns to relate one stimulus with another unrelated stimulus. For instance, I am used to relating a pepper aroma with sweet tasting fried meat. Habituation involves learning to ignore stimuli that are unimportant (Bee & Boyd, 2009). Example of this is where a baby may be scared of teddy bears that they may be bought. However, with time, they realize that the teddy bears are not harmful and they get used to them. Habituation is important in developing one’s personality (Meyer, 2006)

On the other hand, operant conditioning refers to when an individual develops a behavior from modifying occurrences. It can be characterized by either a positive or negative feedback. Schematic learning involves using previously learned ideas and concepts in order to understand situations or rather stimuli. For example, when one understands how an airplane or a ship operates and the security protocols observed to ensure crew safety, then the notion of associating them with death is eliminated. This is important during an individual development as it helps them understand thing that they had fears in (Meyer, 2006)