The pecking behavior in young herring gulls is triggered primarily by a red spot on the bill of the parent, and is performed repeatedly in the same way; therefore, it is an example of ____.
A) imprinting
B) a learned response
C) a fixed action pattern
D) operant conditioning
E) classical conditioning

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pecking behavior in young herring gulls is an innate behavior that is automatically triggered by a specific stimulus (the red spot on the bill of the parent) and is performed in a stereotyped, or unvarying, manner. This type of behavior is known as a fixed action pattern, which is a series of movements elicited by a specific stimulus that, once started, will continue to completion even if the original stimulus is removed.

The Pecking Behavior in Young Herring Gulls Is Triggered Primarily