The alternating between attack and escape responses of a male stickleback when it meets another male intruding in its territory is an example of what type of behavior?
A) displacement
B) redirected behavior
C) simultaneous ambivalent behavior
D) successive ambivalent behavior

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The behavior described involves the male stickleback alternating between two incompatible responses (attack and escape) in response to the presence of an intruding male. This is an example of successive ambivalent behavior. Displacement behavior refers to behavior that is unrelated to the situation at hand and often occurs when an animal is conflicted or uncertain, redirected behavior occurs when an animal directs its aggression or frustration onto a different target, and simultaneous ambivalent behavior involves an animal exhibiting conflicting behaviors simultaneously.

The Alternating Between Attack and Escape Responses of a Male