Behavior Key Terms

Question 1

The theory that all related organisms descended from common ancestors

Answer 1

Theory of Evolution

Question 2

Who developed the Theory of Evolution and in what book was it introduced?

Answer 2

Charles Darwin and The Origin of Species

Question 3

What did Darwin believe was the main factor in influencing animal behavior?

Answer 3

Instinct

Question 4

The process that awards survival and reproductive success to individuals and groups best adjusted to their environment

Answer 4

Natural Selection

Question 5

What did Darwin believe led to individual species adapting to their environments?

Answer 5

Natural Selection + Instinctive Behavior

Question 6

The natural process of slow change and development that gradually leads to the development of new species of plants and animals over a very long time

Answer 6

Evolution

Question 7

The classification given to a group of similar living organisms who can exchange genes and produce young

Answer 7

Species

Question 8

Inherited or genetically coded responses to environmental stimuli / an animal’s inherent ability to perform tasks such as hunting, feeding, and mating

Answer 8

Instinct

Question 9

What animal behavioral belief stemmed from Darwin’s theories of natural selection combined with instinct and asserts that much of what animals know is instinctive?

Answer 9

Classical Ethology

Question 10

Kittens not needing to be taught what to do when presented with a litter box is an example of what behavioral theory?

Answer 10

Classical Ethology

Question 11

Something that produces a learned response

Answer 11

Conditioned Stimulus

Question 12

Something that produces a reflexive response

Answer 12

Unconditioned Stimulus

Question 13

An involuntary, simple reflex behavior

Answer 13

Unconditioned Response

Question 14

Who is the originator of the Behaviorism concept?

Answer 14

John B. Watson

Question 15

The theory that says all complex forms of behavior (including emotions, thoughts, habits) are complex muscular and glandular responses that can be observed, measured, and learned

Answer 15

Stimulus Response Theory

Question 16

What experiment is an example of Classical Conditioning?

Answer 16

Pavlov’s Experiment

Question 17

What experiment is an example of Operant Conditioning?

Answer 17

Skinner’s Experiment

Question 18

What are the two types of conditioned learning?

Answer 18

Classical and Operant

Question 19

The theory that behavior is learned rather than genetically programmed

Answer 19

Behaviorism

Question 20

Muscular and glandular responses that can be observed, measured and learned

Answer 20

Stimulus Responses

Question 21

The association of stimuli that happens at approximately the same time or roughly the same area

Answer 21

Classical Conditioning

Question 22

The association of an activity with punishment or reward

Answer 22

Operant Conditioning
*aka Instrumental Learning / Trial-and-Error Learning

Question 23

The study of the biological basis of the social behavior

Answer 23

Sociobiology

Question 24

Any immediate pleasant occurrence that follows a behavior and can be used to encourage desired behaviors

Answer 24

Positive Reinforcement

Question 25

How quickly after a behavior must a reward be given in order for Positive Reinforcement to be effective?

Answer 25

20 seconds max

Question 26

The removal of an immediate unpleasant occurrence to create a desired behavior

Answer 26

Negative Reinforcement

Question 27

What is an example of Positive Reinforcement vs Negative Reinforcement?

Answer 27

Positive - Dog sits on command > treat or pets Negative - Dog finally stands still > the trainer releases pressure being held on the dog

Question 28

What is the key difference between punishment and negative reinforcement?

Answer 28

Punishment = used to DECREASE a behavior Negative Reinforcement = used to INCREASE a behavior

Question 29

Adding an undesirable occurrence after a behavior to decrease the frequency of that behavior

Answer 29

Positive Punishment

Question 30

Subtracting something pleasant after a behavior to decrease the frequency of that behavior

Answer 30

Negative Punishment

Question 31

The process by which young animals acquire responses to auditory or visual cues presented by their caretaker(s) in order to recognize and bond with said caretaker(s) / identify them as individuals

Answer 31

Imprinting

Question 32

What period does imprinting occur?

Answer 32

Sensitive Period

Question 33

A specific stage early in life of young animals in which the events that occur during this time greatly shape their behavioral response toward other creatures and things

Answer 33

Sensitive Period

Question 34

The process of preparing a dog or cat to enjoy interactions and be comfortable with other animals, people, places, and activities

Answer 34

Socialization Period

Question 35

What is the socialization period for puppies?

Answer 35

4 to 14 weeks

Question 36

What is the socialization period for kittens?

Answer 36

2 to 8 weeks

Question 37

What happens if animals are not properly socialized during the sensitive period?

Answer 37

The animal is overly fearful of situations later in life

Question 38

Behavior arising from an impulse to harm another being

Answer 38

Aggression

Question 39

What is one of the first behaviors new owners should teach a puppy?

Answer 39

Housetraining

Question 40

How do you ensure proper imprinting on rodents?

Answer 40

Hand feeding

Question 41

Which animals are predisposed to group living?

Answer 41

Rodents

Question 42

Types of Aggression: - when a dog is exposed to an uncomfortable or uncertain stimulus or conflict

Answer 42

Conflict-Related Aggression

Question 43

Types of Aggression: - when the animal is in a situation from which it can't escape and perceives as threatening

Answer 43

Fear-Induced Aggression

Question 44

What are some causes to Conflict-Related Aggression in dogs?

Answer 44

-inconsistent and unpredictable environments - owners lacking knowledge of proper training

Question 45

What are some causes of Fear-Induced Aggression?

Answer 45

- animal can't escape - loud noises - children - specific people

Question 46

Types of Aggression: - differs from other forms of aggression in that there is no warning from the animal - instinctual

Answer 46

Predatory Aggression

Question 47

Types of Aggression: - protective instinct when pain is inflicted

Answer 47

Pain-Induced Aggression

Question 48

Types of Aggression: - testosterone driven instinct

Answer 48

Inter-Male Aggression

Question 49

How is Inter-Male Aggression eliminated?

Answer 49

Castration

Question 50

Types of Aggression: - when an unfamiliar creature enters the animal's perceived territory

Answer 50

Territorial Aggression

Question 51

Types of Aggression: - when a mother believes her young are in danger

Answer 51

Maternal Aggression

Question 52

Differences between dogs and cats with regards to Territorial Aggression?

Answer 52

Cats = aggressive toward other cats in their perceived territory Dogs = aggressive toward humans who aren't members of their household

Question 53

When a pet urinates or defecates inside the home

Answer 53

House-Soiling

Question 54

What are 3 reasons for house-soiling in dogs?

Answer 54

1. Marking territory 2. Not being walked enough 3. Fear

Question 55

A form filled out by the client as part of the screening process to identify possible issues and solutions for behavioral problems

Answer 55

Behavioral History Form

Question 56

Appropriate behavioral therapy depends on what 3 things?

Answer 56

1. Species 2. Breed 3. Nature of the problem behavior

Question 57

What is the cornerstone of any successful attempt to resolve problem behavior?

Answer 57

Trust

Question 58

What are the two types of rewards in behavior modification?

Answer 58

1. Edible 2. Vocal

Question 59

How long should initial behavior modification sessions be?

Answer 59

5 minutes

Question 60

What are the 6 things you must consider when choosing the appropriate behavior modification technique?

Answer 60

1. Cause of the problem 2. Species 3. Breed 4. Age 5. Gender 6. Owner's ability to perform behavior therapy

Question 61

Type of reward by giving a command and immediately rewarding the desired response every time it's performed until the pet responds consistently

Answer 61

Command-Response Reward

Question 62

A device used to signal to the animal that it performed the right behavior and will receive a reward

Answer 62

Clicker

Question 63

Therapy that involves creating a relationship between an unpleasant stimulus and an [object or area] that an animal may be marking, chewing, or damaging

Answer 63

Aversion Therapy

Question 64

Therapy that involves using positive punishment to diminish a problem [behavior]

Answer 64

Avoidance Therapy

Question 65

What is an example of Aversion Therapy?

Answer 65

Cat jumping on counter > place double sides tape on the counter > unpleasant feeling keeps cat away

Question 66

What is an example of Avoidance Therapy?

Answer 66

Dog barks excessively > spray with hose to startle dog

Question 67

Therapy that involves surrounding the animal with the stimulus causing the problem until the animal becomes acclimated to the stimulus and is no longer afraid of it

Answer 67

Habituation

Question 68

What types of behavior problems should Habituation Therapy ONLY be used on?

Answer 68

Minor behavior problems

Question 69

In order for Punishment Therapy to be effective, the punishment must include what 4 things?

Answer 69

1. Occur every time the behavior occurs 2. Be applied immediately 3. Be of appropriate intensity 4. Not connect the owner to the punishment

Question 70

Therapy that involves taking a stimulus linked to a negative emotion and reconditioning the animal by linking the stimulus to a positive emotional response

Answer 70

Counterconditioning

Question 71

What is an example of Counterconditioning Therapy?

Answer 71

Dog barks at mailman > train the dog to sit quietly when he arrives

Question 72

Therapy that involves diminishing a particular behavior by gradually exposing the animal to the stimulus that produces the inappropriate response

Answer 72

Desensitization

Question 73

What is an example of Desensitization Therapy?

Answer 73

Dog fearful of kids > expose the dog at a distance for brief periods of time > gradually increase time and decrease distance

Question 74

What are 1 or 2 examples of Environmental Modification with regards to cat behavior modification?

Answer 74

1. Cat poops on carpet > wrap a piece of carpet around the litter box 2. Changing location of the litter box

Question 75

What are Surgical Approaches to behavioral modification used for?

Answer 75

For hormone driven behavior problems

Question 76

What is the type of behavioral modification therapy method that is only considered after all other methods have failed and medical causes ruled out?

Answer 76

Pharmaceutical Therapy

Question 77

What is the best behavioral modification technique for birds?

Answer 77

Environmental Modification

Question 78

What is the best method to stop a bird from biting?

Answer 78

Wobble

Question 79

What is an example of Environmental Modification with regards to bird behavior?

Answer 79

Bird squawks persistently with no medical/physical basis > move the cage to a different room or cover the cage for 5-10 min