During the spring, an animal engages in a stereotypic dance sequence whenever it sees a female. The female is best described as a ______, while the dance sequence is a ______.
A) sign stimulus; reflex response
B) sensitizing stimulus; reflex response
C) sign stimulus; fixed action pattern
D) sensitizing stimulus; fixed action pattern

Question

During the spring, an animal engages in a stereotypic dance sequence whenever it sees a female. The female is best described as a ______, while the dance sequence is a ______. 
A) sign stimulus; reflex response
B) sensitizing stimulus; reflex response
C) sign stimulus; fixed action pattern
D) sensitizing stimulus; fixed action pattern

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The female acts as a sign stimulus, triggering a specific, innate behavior in the male, which is the dance sequence, known as a fixed action pattern. Fixed action patterns are complex, innate behaviors triggered by specific stimuli and are carried out to completion once started.

During the Spring, an Animal Engages in a Stereotypic Dance