## What is Behaviour ???
Behaviour refers to the actions or reactions of an organism, typically in relation to its environment. It encompasses a wide range of activities, including responses to external stimuli, social interactions, and voluntary actions. In psychology, behaviour can be influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, culture, and individual experiences.
TYPES OF BEHAVIOR
#. Innate vs Learned Behaviour
- Innate Behaviour:
- Definition: Innate behaviours are those that are instinctual and do not require learning or experience to be performed. They are genetically programmed and are usually present from birth.
- Examples: Reflex actions like a baby’s grasping reflex, migration patterns in birds, and social behaviour in certain animal species (e.g., courtship displays) are all examples of innate behaviours.
- Learned Behaviour:
- Definition: Learned behaviours are acquired through experience and interaction with the environment. These behaviours can change over time as a result of new learning or experiences.
- Examples: Skills such as riding a bicycle, speaking a language, and social etiquette are learned behaviours. Animals also exhibit learned behaviours, such as a dog responding to commands or a child learning to tie their shoes.
Understanding the distinction between innate and learned behaviour is crucial in the fields of psychology, biology, and education, as it helps explain how organisms adapt and respond to their environments over time.
1. INNATE BEHAVIOR
Innate behavior can be classified into several types, including:
1. Reflexes – Simple, automatic responses to stimuli (e.g., blinking when something approaches the eye).
2. Kinesis – Random movement in response to a stimulus, where speed changes but not direction (e.g., woodlice moving more in dry conditions to find moisture).
3. Taxis – Directed movement toward or away from a stimulus (e.g., moths flying toward a light source - positive phototaxis).
4. Fixed Action Patterns (FAPs) – Stereotyped, automatic sequences of behavior triggered by a specific stimulus (e.g., a goose rolling an egg back into its nest).
5. Imprinting – A combination of innate and learned behavior, where an animal forms a strong attachment during a critical period (e.g., ducklings following their mother).
These behaviors are genetically programmed and do not require prior experience or learning.
2. LEARNED BEHAVIOUR
Learned behaviors are those acquired through experience and interaction with the environment. Here are the main types:
1. Habituation
• This occurs when an animal decreases or stops responding to a repeated, harmless stimulus.
• Example: Birds may stop flying away from a scarecrow after realizing it is not a threat.
2. Classical Conditioning
• Learning by association, where an animal links a neutral stimulus to a significant one.
• Example: Pavlov’s dogs learned to associate the sound of a bell with food, causing them to salivate when they heard it.
3. Operant Conditioning (Trial-and-Error Learning)
• Learning through rewards and punishments for specific actions.
• Example: A rat learns to press a lever to receive food or avoid an electric shock.
4. Observational Learning (Imitation)
• Learning by watching and copying others' behaviors.
• Example: A young chimpanzee learns to crack nuts by watching an older chimp.
@SAGALEE_SABAA
5. Insight Learning
• Problem-solving using reasoning rather than trial and error.
• Example: A chimp stacks boxes to reach a banana without prior trial and error.
6. Imprinting
• A combination of innate and learned behavior, where an animal forms an attachment during a critical period.
• Example: Ducklings follow the first moving object they see after hatching, usually their mother.
Each of these learned behaviors helps animals adapt to their environment and improve survival. Let me know if you want more details!
7. Sensitization
• The opposite of habituation, where an animal increases its response to a repeated stimulus, especially if it is strong or harmful.
@SAGALEE_SABAA
