Problem 3

Question

A stimulus that always causes an animal to behave in a highly stereotyped way is called: a. a fixed action pattern. b. an instinct. c. habituation. d. a sign stimulus. e. a reinforcement.

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer
The correct answer is d. A sign stimulus.
1Step 1: Understand the term
The question describes a stimulus that causes an animal to behave in a specific, highly stereotyped way. This description aligns with the definition of a sign stimulus.
2Step 2: Match definitions
By understanding the definitions of each provided option, it becomes clear that a 'sign stimulus' is the term that best matches the description given in the question.
3Step 3: Finalize the Answer
Upon matching the correct definition of the behavioral term with the description given in the question, we can confidently choose the correct answer.