When a mother nurses her child for the first time, the sucking of the infant stimulates the release of milk. Within a few weeks of birth, the cry of the infant stimulates the same response. Which of these is a fixed behavior?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Releasing milk in response to sucking is a fixed behavior because it is an innate and automatic response to the mechanical stimulation of the nipple. Releasing milk in response to crying is a learned behavior that develops over time as the mother associates the cry of her infant with the need for nourishment.

When a Mother Nurses Her Child for the First Time