Problem 2 - Biology: The Dynamic Science

Question

Instinctive behaviors are: a. performed completely the first time they are used. b. always modified by an animal's experiences. c. performed only by very young animals. d. often the product of habituation. sometimes called trial-and-error responses.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The correct answer is 'a. performed completely the first time they are used.'

Step 1: Define Instinctive Behavior

Instinctive behaviors refer to those that are inherent in the organism, not learned or developed, and are performed naturally the first time with no prior experience or exposure.

Step 2: Analyzing the options

Option a ('performed completely the first time they are used') matches our definition of instinctive behaviors, as they don't require learning or prior exposure. Option b ('always modified by an animal's experiences') is not accurate as this would suggest learned behavior, not instinctive. As for Option c ('performed only by very young animals'), it is also incorrect as instinctive behaviors can be performed by animals of all ages. Moving on to Option d ('often the product of habituation'), this is inaccurate as habituation involves learning through repeated exposure which is against the concept of instinctive behavior which requires no learning. The last option is also incorrect because trial-and-error responses imply a learning process which instinctive behaviors do not undergo.

Step 3: Select the Correct answer

Here, based on analysis of each option, only option 'a' meets our definition for instinctive behavior. Thus, option 'a' is the right answer to the question.