Chapter 2 Innate Behavior Patterns And Habituation
1. In the terminology of control systems theory, the setting on a house's thermostat can be
called
a. the comparator
b. the reference input
c. the actual input
d. the action system
Answer: b
Rationale:
The setting on a house's thermostat represents the desired temperature, which serves as the
reference input for the control system. The system then works to maintain the actual
temperature close to this reference input.
2. When you quickly pull your hand away from a painful stimulus, this reflex
a. does not involve a feedback loop
b. is controlled by the brain’s cerebral cortex
c. involves sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons
d. all of the above
Answer: c
Rationale:
The reflex action of pulling your hand away from a painful stimulus involves a feedback
loop, as sensory neurons detect the stimulus, interneurons process the information, and motor
neurons initiate the response (muscle contraction to move the hand away).
3. In control systems theory, the action system is activated
a. when the actual input does not match the reference input
b. when the comparator is turned off
c. when there is no disturbance
d. when there is no output
Answer: a
Rationale:
The action system in control theory is activated when there is a difference between the actual
input (current state) and the reference input (desired state), triggering corrective actions to
minimize this error.
4. Unlike a kinesis, a taxis is
a. an example of a tropism
b. a movement or change in orientation of the entire organism
c. a learned behavior
d. a directed movement
Answer: d
Rationale:
A taxis is a directed movement of an organism in response to a stimulus, whereas kinesis
refers to a random movement in response to a stimulus. Taxis involves a directional response,
while kinesis does not.
5. In applying the terminology of control systems theory to the humidity seeking behavior of
the wood louse, the humidity level in the creature's current location can be called
a. the actual input
b. the reference input
c. a disturbance
d. the output
Answer: a
Rationale:
In control systems theory, the current state or condition being measured and compared to the
desired state is referred to as the actual input. In this scenario, the humidity level in the wood
louse's current location serves as the actual input.
6. In applying the terminology of control systems theory to the humidity seeking behavior of
the wood louse, the goal of finding an area with high humidity can be called
a. the actual input
b. the reference input
c. a disturbance
d. the output
Answer: b
Rationale:
The desired state or goal in control systems theory is represented by the reference input. In
the case of the wood louse seeking high humidity, the desired humidity level serves as the
reference input.
7. A fixed-action pattern
a. will stop immediately if the behavior is not appropriate for the situation
b. is a sequence of behaviors that occur in a rigid order
c. both a and b
d. neither a and b
Answer: b
Rationale:
A fixed-action pattern is a sequence of behaviors that occur in a stereotyped, rigid order once
initiated, regardless of the situation. It does not stop immediately if the behavior is
inappropriate.
8. In humans, contagious yawning is an example of a
a. kinesis
b: taxis
c. fixed action pattern
d. reaction chain
Answer: c
Rationale:
Contagious yawning in humans is considered a fixed-action pattern because it is a
stereotyped, innate behavior that occurs in response to observing another individual yawning,
regardless of the context or circumstances.
9. A male stickleback will be aggressive toward other male sticklebacks that invade its
territory. Of the following, which will tend to elicit the strongest aggressive response?
a. a female stickleback
b. an object that has the rough shape of a stickleback
c. an object that has a red patch on the bottom
d. a fish of another species
Answer: c
Rationale:
Male sticklebacks exhibit territorial aggression, particularly towards other males with red
coloration on their underside, resembling a threat. This is because male sticklebacks interpret
the red coloration as a territorial challenge, eliciting a strong aggressive response.
10. A reaction chain differs from a fixed action pattern in that it
a. is innate
b. is a sequence of behaviors
c. is more adaptive to the current environmental conditions
d. may be found in only one species
Answer: c
Rationale:
A reaction chain is a sequence of behaviors triggered by a specific stimulus but can be more
flexible and adaptive to environmental conditions compared to a fixed-action pattern.
Reaction chains may involve behaviors that vary in response to changing circumstances,
unlike the stereotyped nature of fixed-action patterns.
11. A reaction chain
a. consists of an alternating sequence of stimuli and responses
b. is innate
c. both a and b
d. neither a nor b
Answer: c
Rationale:
A reaction chain typically involves a series of linked stimuli and responses, indicating an
alternating sequence as mentioned in option (a). These chains can be both learned and innate,
hence option (b) is also correct. Therefore, option (c), which combines both aspects, is the
most comprehensive choice.
12. To support the theory that language is an innate human ability, researchers have shown
that
a. a specific part of the human brain is essential for speech
b. a specific part of the human brain is essential for language comprehension
c. human languages throughout the world have certain features in common
d. all of the above
Answer: d
Rationale:
Option (a) and (b) highlight the neurological evidence supporting the theory of language
being innate, as specific brain regions are implicated in speech and language comprehension.
Option (c) underscores the linguistic evidence, showing commonalities across human
languages. Combining all these aspects strengthens the argument for language being innate,
making option (d) the correct choice.
13. Ekman’s research on facial expression of emotions has found that
a. animals and people express emotions in similar ways
b. children learn to recognize the emotional expressions of adults in their first year of life
c. adults can recognize emotions such as happiness or surprise in the face of a person from a
different culture
d. all of the above
Answer: c
Rationale:
Ekman's research has demonstrated that adults can recognize emotions across cultures,
indicating universality in facial expressions as suggested in option (c). While options (a) and
(b) also have empirical support, option (c) encompasses these findings along with crosscultural recognition, making it the most inclusive choice.
14. To qualify as a “human universal,” a behavior must
a. be innate
b. be found in human cultures throughout the world
c. look exactly the same in human cultures throughout the world
d. all of the above
Answer: b
Rationale:
Option (b) is the most accurate definition of a human universal, as it emphasizes the presence
of a behavior across diverse human cultures. Options (a) and (c) are not always necessary
criteria for a behavior to be considered universal. Therefore, option (b) best encapsulates the
concept of a human universal.
15. Habituation
a. can be observed in some one-celled organisms
b. can occur in the orienting response
c. can exhibit stimulus generalization
d. all of the above
Answer: d
Rationale:
Habituation, as described in options (a), (b), and (c), is a phenomenon observed across
various organisms and contexts. It can occur in simple organisms like one-celled organisms
(option a), as well as in more complex processes such as the orienting response (option b) and
can exhibit stimulus generalization (option c). Therefore, option (d) is the correct choice.
16. The habituation of a response to a very strong stimulus
a. will proceed rapidly
b. will proceed slowly
c. will not exhibit generalization
d. will not exhibit overlearning effects
Answer: b
Rationale:
Habituation to a very strong stimulus often proceeds slowly, as the initial intensity of the
stimulus may delay the habituation process. Strong stimuli may evoke strong responses that
take longer to habituate compared to weaker stimuli. Thus, option (b) is the correct choice.
17. A loud noise is repeatedly presented to a rat, and after 20 trials the rat's startle reaction
has completely disappeared (habituated). If a slightly different noise is now presented, it is
most likely that
a. there will be no startle reaction at all
b. there will be no habituation to this new stimulus
c. habituation of the startle reaction will take more than 20 trials
d. habituation of the startle reaction will take less than 20 trials
Answer: d
Rationale:
When a slightly different stimulus is presented after habituation to a specific stimulus, the
habituation process often transfers to the new stimulus, albeit with some degree of decrement.
This means that habituation to the new stimulus will likely occur faster than the original 20
trials, as the organism has already undergone habituation processes. Therefore, option (d) is
the most plausible choice.
18. Kandel's research on Aplysia has shown that the physiological network underlying the
gill withdrawal reflex
a. involves single synapses between sensory neurons and motor neurons
b. involves two synapses: between sensory neurons and interneurons, and between
interneurons and motor neurons
c. both a and b
d. neither a nor b
Answer: b
Rationale:
Kandel's research revealed that the gill withdrawal reflex in Aplysia involves two synapses:
one between sensory neurons and interneurons, and another between interneurons and motor
neurons. This suggests a more complex neural circuitry than just single synapses between
sensory and motor neurons, as stated in option (b). Therefore, option (b) is the correct choice.
19. Kandel's research on Aplysia has shown that the habituation of the gill withdrawal
response
a. always occurs in a single trial
b. dissipates with time
c. is completely different from habituation in higher organisms
d. all of the above
Answer: b
Rationale:
Kandel's research demonstrated that habituation of the gill withdrawal response in Aplysia
dissipates with time, rather than always occurring in a single trial (option a) or being
completely different from habituation in higher organisms (option c). Therefore, option (b)
accurately reflects the findings of Kandel's research.
20. Kandel's research on Aplysia has shown that the habituation of the gill withdrawal
response
a. is caused by a decrease in the sensitivity of the motor neurons to transmitter released by the
sensory neurons
b. is caused by a decrease in the amount of transmitter released by the sensory neurons
c. is caused by an increase in the amount of transmitter released by the sensory neurons
d. is caused by an increase in the activity of interneurons
Answer: b
Rationale:
Kandel's research revealed that habituation of the gill withdrawal response in Aplysia is
primarily caused by a decrease in the amount of transmitter released by the sensory neurons,
leading to reduced synaptic transmission and, consequently, habituation. This aligns with
option (b), making it the correct choice.
21. Overlearning in habituation (or below zero habituation) can occur if
a. habituation trials continue after the response has disappeared
b. habituation trials are widely spaced over time
c. an intense stimulus is used
d. several different stimuli are used
Answer: a
Rationale:
Overlearning in habituation happens when habituation trials persist even after the response
has ceased. This can lead to a reversal or suppression of the habituated response, essentially
creating a negative habituation effect. Continuation of trials after the disappearance of the
response can prevent the organism from reacquiring the response in the future.
22. Which of the following statements is not an accurate summary of the findings from
research on habituation in mammals?
a. Short-term and long-term habituation may involve different brain pathways.
b. Cells in the auditory cortex may "habituate" to tones of specific pitches.
c. The startle response habituates if a loud noise is presented repeatedly.
d. Habituation is most evident in the later (motor) portions of the startle response pathway.
Answer: d
Rationale:
Habituation involves a decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure. Research
indicates that habituation can occur at various levels of sensory processing, including the
auditory cortex for specific pitches (option b), and it's not confined solely to motor portions
of response pathways. Thus, option d is not an accurate summary of findings.
23. In the Solomon and Corbit opponent process theory, the a process is said to be
a. a pleasant emotional reaction
b. an unpleasant emotional reaction
c. unaffected by repeated trials
d. slow to reach its maximum level
Answer: c
Rationale:
The "a" process in the Solomon and Corbit opponent process theory is characterized by its
rapid development and decline, reaching its peak shortly after the onset of a stimulus. It is
unaffected by repeated trials, as it is primarily associated with the initial reaction to a
stimulus rather than habituation.
24. In the Solomon and Corbit opponent process theory, the b process is said to be
a. a pleasant emotional reaction
b. an unpleasant emotional reaction
c. unaffected by repeated trials
d. slow to reach its maximum level
Answer: d
Rationale:
The "b" process in the Solomon and Corbit opponent process theory is characterized by its
slower onset and longer duration compared to the "a" process. It gradually increases over
repeated exposures to a stimulus, reaching its maximum level more slowly than the "a"
process.
25. According to opponent process theory, in parachute jumping the strengthening of the b
process over trials
a. causes the individual to be less terrified with experience
b. causes the aftereffects of a jump to last longer with experience
c. both a and b
d. neither a nor b
Answer: c
Rationale:
In opponent process theory, the strengthening of the "b" process over trials results in reduced
fear response (option a) during the activity (such as parachute jumping) and prolonged
aftereffects (option b) after the activity ends. Therefore, both options a and b are correct.
26. According to opponent process theory, opiate addiction is so difficult to end because
a. the a process is strengthened with repeated opiate use
b. the aversive b process can be temporarily reduced with another opiate injection
c. both a and b
d. neither a nor b
Answer: c
Rationale:
Opiate addiction is difficult to end according to opponent process theory because repeated
opiate use strengthens the "a" process, leading to increased tolerance and dependence (option
a), while the aversive "b" process can be temporarily alleviated by further opiate intake
(option b). Both processes contribute to the cycle of addiction, making it challenging to break
free from.
Test Bank for Learning and Behavior
James E. Mazur
9780205864812, 9780205246441
