Animal Psychology Advanced - Qp2

Instinct, or innate behaviour, is the inherent inclination of a living organism towards a particular simple behaviour.

Any behaviour is instinctive if it is performed without being based upon prior experience and is therefore an expression of innate biological factors.

The role of instincts in determining the behaviour of animals is similar between species.

Genes constitute a source of information that is present right from the outset of life, and certainly we consider genetics to be responsible for instinctive behaviour.

A basic principle to remember is that animals with small, simple brains are less governed by innate behaviour patterns.

Young animals given “enriched” lives will generally have smaller brains, however superior learning skills.

Play is a range of voluntary, intrinsically motivated activities normally associated with recreational pleasure and enjoyment.

The ______ is a stable posture from which the dog can move in multiple directions.

The amount of time spent at play for many mammals peaks around puberty, and then drops off.