Question 1

Which of the following describes a phenomenon in which a behavior declines over time?

Accepted Answer

A)  Local enhancement 
B)  Negative reinforcement 
C)  Operant conditioning 
D)  Positive punishment 
E)  Numerical competency 
A)  Local enhancement 
B)  Negative reinforcement 
C)  Operant conditioning 
D)  Positive punishment 
E)  Numerical competency D

Question 2

Which of the following explains why a researcher would measure learning curves of different individuals?

Accepted Answer

A)  To compare how quickly neural plasticity changes 
B)  To quantify the speed of habituation to a novel stimulus 
C)  To characterize differences in imprinting 
D)  To compare the rate of filial imprinting 
E)  To compare how quickly individuals learn new associations 
A)  To compare how quickly neural plasticity changes 
B)  To quantify the speed of habituation to a novel stimulus 
C)  To characterize differences in imprinting 
D)  To compare the rate of filial imprinting 
E)  To compare how quickly individuals learn new associations E

Question 3

How did Shier and Owings (2007) demonstrate that young prairie dogs learn antipredator behaviors from adults? Describe the experimental treatments and results.

Accepted Answer

Some pups were exposed to predators in the presence of an experienced adult while others were exposed to predators without an experienced adult. After training, all pups were exposed to the same predators and their behaviors recorded. Pups trained with an experienced adult exhibited more appropriate anti-predator behaviors.

Question 4

On the same graph, draw learning curves for two individuals that differ in their rate of learning showing a fast learner and a slow learner. Explain which curve represents the faster learner. Be sure to label both axes.

Accepted Answer

The graph would look like Fig

Question 5

What is a prediction of public information (PI) use?

Accepted Answer

A)  Individuals that use PI will consume a greater variety of food items than individuals that do not use PI. 
B)  Individuals that use PI exploit food patches more completely than individuals that do not use PI. 
C)  Individuals that use PI will spend longer in food patches than individuals that do not use PI. 
D)  Individuals that use PI estimate the quality of food patches faster than individuals that do not use PI. 
E)  Individuals that use PI will learn the location of food patches faster than those that do not use PI. 
A)  Individuals that use PI will consume a greater variety of food items than individuals that do not use PI. 
B)  Individuals that use PI exploit food patches more completely than individuals that do not use PI. 
C)  Individuals that use PI will spend longer in food patches than individuals that do not use PI. 
D)  Individuals that use PI estimate the quality of food patches faster than individuals that do not use PI. 
E)  Individuals that use PI will learn the location of food patches faster than those that do not use PI.

Question 6

Define animal teaching. Explain how the example of tandem running ants satisfies this definition.

Accepted Answer

Teaching is the active participation of

Question 7

Shier and Owings (2007) showed that young prairie dogs appear to learn anti-predator behavior from experienced adults. Explain why this is not an example of teaching.

Accepted Answer

The adult prairie dogs simply

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT associated with classical conditioning?

Accepted Answer

A)  Innate behaviors 
B)  Pavlovian conditioning 
C)  Conditioning for mating opportunities in Japanese quail 
D)  Salivary response in dogs. 
E)  B.F. Skinner 
A)  Innate behaviors 
B)  Pavlovian conditioning 
C)  Conditioning for mating opportunities in Japanese quail 
D)  Salivary response in dogs. 
E)  B.F. Skinner

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT true about learning curves?

Accepted Answer

A)  Individuals commonly exhibit different learning curves 
B)  They are used to measure episodic memory 
C)  Researchers often examine learning curves by training individuals to behave differently from their innate preferences 
D)  Individuals with steep learning curves learn faster than those with more shallow curves 
E)  Learning curves measure changes in behavior over time 
A)  Individuals commonly exhibit different learning curves 
B)  They are used to measure episodic memory 
C)  Researchers often examine learning curves by training individuals to behave differently from their innate preferences 
D)  Individuals with steep learning curves learn faster than those with more shallow curves 
E)  Learning curves measure changes in behavior over time

Question 10

What result allowed Coolen and colleagues (2005) to conclude that sticklebacks use public information?

Accepted Answer

A)  Focal fish preferred the patch with the most food. 
B)  Focal fish preferred the patch where they observed the greatest number of fish. 
C)  Focal fish preferred the patch with the lowest predation risk. 
D)  Focal fish preferred the patch where they observed the highest feeding rates. 
E)  Focal fish preferred the patch that was largest in size. 
A)  Focal fish preferred the patch with the most food. 
B)  Focal fish preferred the patch where they observed the greatest number of fish. 
C)  Focal fish preferred the patch with the lowest predation risk. 
D)  Focal fish preferred the patch where they observed the highest feeding rates. 
E)  Focal fish preferred the patch that was largest in size.

Question 11

What evidence from guppies supports the cognitive buffer hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Females selected to have large

Question 12

What data allowed Jennifer Clarke (2010) to conclude that hens teach their chicks?

Accepted Answer

A)  There was a strong relationship between the plants near which chick mothers produced food calls and the diet of their chick 
B)  Chicks performed food calls near the same plants they saw their mothers near 
C)  Chicks and their mothers produced food calls near the same plants 
D)  Chicks learned antipredator behaviors by observing their mother's reaction to predators 
E)  Chicks learned the location of food patches by observing their mother 
A)  There was a strong relationship between the plants near which chick mothers produced food calls and the diet of their chick 
B)  Chicks performed food calls near the same plants they saw their mothers near 
C)  Chicks and their mothers produced food calls near the same plants 
D)  Chicks learned antipredator behaviors by observing their mother's reaction to predators 
E)  Chicks learned the location of food patches by observing their mother

Question 13

How did Adkins-Regan and MacKillop (2003) demonstrate a link between classical conditioning and fitness in quail?

Accepted Answer

A)  Birds had higher reproductive success in the cage in the condition in which they learned mating occurs 
B)  Males had lower reproductive success in the condition in which they learned mating occurs 
C)  Females learned an association between a chemical alarm substance and a novel predator 
D)  Birds had higher survivorship when they learned an association between chemical alarm substance and predators 
E)  Conditioning led to higher food intake rates for all birds 
A)  Birds had higher reproductive success in the cage in the condition in which they learned mating occurs 
B)  Males had lower reproductive success in the condition in which they learned mating occurs 
C)  Females learned an association between a chemical alarm substance and a novel predator 
D)  Birds had higher survivorship when they learned an association between chemical alarm substance and predators 
E)  Conditioning led to higher food intake rates for all birds

Question 14

Meredith and colleagues (2004) demonstrated that IMHV brain tissue had higher glutamate neurotransmitter levels in chicks imprinted on a visual stimulus compared to chicks not imprinted on a visual stimulus. In contrast, the neurotransmitter GABA did not differ in these groups. Which of the following is NOT a valid conclusion from their study?

Accepted Answer

A)  Glutamate and GABA are released in varying amounts in individuals. 
B)  Neurotransmitter release is associated with learning. 
C)  Learning is associated with changes in the brain. 
D)  Glutamate release is associated with imprinting. 
E)  GABA plays an important role in learning. 
A)  Glutamate and GABA are released in varying amounts in individuals. 
B)  Neurotransmitter release is associated with learning. 
C)  Learning is associated with changes in the brain. 
D)  Glutamate release is associated with imprinting. 
E)  GABA plays an important role in learning.

Question 15

Hunt et al. (2008) examined numerical competency in New Zealand robins. They found that

Accepted Answer

A)  The birds always chose the cache with the larger number of food items 
B)  The birds took many trials to learn which cache had the larger number of food items 
C)  The birds took many trials to learn that they would get the larger food reward if they chose the cache with the smaller amount of food 
D)  The birds always chose the cache that had the first food items placed in it 
E)  The birds preferred the larger cache when the total number of food items was less than ten 
A)  The birds always chose the cache with the larger number of food items 
B)  The birds took many trials to learn which cache had the larger number of food items 
C)  The birds took many trials to learn that they would get the larger food reward if they chose the cache with the smaller amount of food 
D)  The birds always chose the cache that had the first food items placed in it 
E)  The birds preferred the larger cache when the total number of food items was less than ten

Question 16

What hypothesis did Megan Gibbons, Arianne Ferguson and Danielle Lee examine in their study of learning in salamanders?

Accepted Answer

A)  As individuals age, they learn to avoid predators. 
B)  As individuals age, they learn to consume different food items. 
C)  As individuals age, they learn from experience and become more efficient at capturing prey. 
D)  Individuals do not learn from experience as they age. 
E)  Young individuals learn faster than old individuals. 
A)  As individuals age, they learn to avoid predators. 
B)  As individuals age, they learn to consume different food items. 
C)  As individuals age, they learn from experience and become more efficient at capturing prey. 
D)  Individuals do not learn from experience as they age. 
E)  Young individuals learn faster than old individuals.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT associated with learning?

Accepted Answer

A)  Dendritic spine formation 
B)  Neurotransmitter release 
C)  Neural plasticity 
D)  Heterochrony 
E)  Dendritic spine elimination 
A)  Dendritic spine formation 
B)  Neurotransmitter release 
C)  Neural plasticity 
D)  Heterochrony 
E)  Dendritic spine elimination

Question 18

Describe the cognitive buffer hypothesis and the data on birds used to examine it.

Accepted Answer

Large brains, despite their costs, provi

Question 19

Which of the following is not associated with behavioral traditions?

Accepted Answer

A)  Social learning 
B)  Insight learning 
C)  Tool use 
D)  Animal culture 
E)  Differences in behavior among populations 
A)  Social learning 
B)  Insight learning 
C)  Tool use 
D)  Animal culture 
E)  Differences in behavior among populations

Question 20

Under which of the following conditions would you expect habituation to occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  Prairie dogs in a zoo will habituate to the loud noise of people outside their enclosure. 
B)  Deer in a national forest where hunting is allowed will habituate to hikers. 
C)  Wrasse on a reef will habituate to predators that are common visitors to a reef. 
D)  Squirrels in a woodland will habituate to hawks that frequent the woods every few weeks. 
E)  Geese defending their nest and chicks become habituated to humans walking close to their nest. 
A)  Prairie dogs in a zoo will habituate to the loud noise of people outside their enclosure. 
B)  Deer in a national forest where hunting is allowed will habituate to hikers. 
C)  Wrasse on a reef will habituate to predators that are common visitors to a reef. 
D)  Squirrels in a woodland will habituate to hawks that frequent the woods every few weeks. 
E)  Geese defending their nest and chicks become habituated to humans walking close to their nest.

Which of the following describes a phenomenon in which a behavior declines over time?

Which of the following explains why a researcher would measure learning curves of different individuals?

How did Shier and Owings (2007) demonstrate that young prairie dogs learn antipredator behaviors from adults? Describe the experimental treatments and results.

On the same graph, draw learning curves for two individuals that differ in their rate of learning showing a fast learner and a slow learner. Explain which curve represents the faster learner. Be sure to label both axes.

What is a prediction of public information (PI) use?

Define animal teaching. Explain how the example of tandem running ants satisfies this definition.

Shier and Owings (2007) showed that young prairie dogs appear to learn anti-predator behavior from experienced adults. Explain why this is not an example of teaching.

Which of the following is NOT associated with classical conditioning?

Which of the following is NOT true about learning curves?

What result allowed Coolen and colleagues (2005) to conclude that sticklebacks use public information?

What evidence from guppies supports the cognitive buffer hypothesis?

What data allowed Jennifer Clarke (2010) to conclude that hens teach their chicks?

How did Adkins-Regan and MacKillop (2003) demonstrate a link between classical conditioning and fitness in quail?

Hunt et al. (2008) examined numerical competency in New Zealand robins. They found that

What hypothesis did Megan Gibbons, Arianne Ferguson and Danielle Lee examine in their study of learning in salamanders?

Which of the following is NOT associated with learning?

Describe the cognitive buffer hypothesis and the data on birds used to examine it.

Which of the following is not associated with behavioral traditions?

Under which of the following conditions would you expect habituation to occur?

The Science of Animal Behavior

Methods for Studying Animal Behavior

Evolution and the Study of Animal Behavior

Behavioral Genetics

Sensory Systems and Behavior

Communication

Foraging Behavior

Antipredator Behavior

Dispersal and Migration

Habitat Selection, Territoriality, and Aggression

Mating Behavior

Mating Systems

Parental Care

Sociality

Cooperative Behavior

Filters

Exam 7: Learning, Neuroethology, and Cognition

Which of the following describes a phenomenon in which a behavior declines over time?

Which of the following explains why a researcher would measure learning curves of different individuals?

How did Shier and Owings (2007) demonstrate that young prairie dogs learn antipredator behaviors from adults? Describe the experimental treatments and results.

On the same graph, draw learning curves for two individuals that differ in their rate of learning showing a fast learner and a slow learner. Explain which curve represents the faster learner. Be sure to label both axes.

What is a prediction of public information (PI) use?

Define animal teaching. Explain how the example of tandem running ants satisfies this definition.

Shier and Owings (2007) showed that young prairie dogs appear to learn anti-predator behavior from experienced adults. Explain why this is not an example of teaching.

Which of the following is NOT associated with classical conditioning?

Which of the following is NOT true about learning curves?

What result allowed Coolen and colleagues (2005) to conclude that sticklebacks use public information?

What evidence from guppies supports the cognitive buffer hypothesis?

What data allowed Jennifer Clarke (2010) to conclude that hens teach their chicks?

How did Adkins-Regan and MacKillop (2003) demonstrate a link between classical conditioning and fitness in quail?

Hunt et al. (2008) examined numerical competency in New Zealand robins. They found that

What hypothesis did Megan Gibbons, Arianne Ferguson and Danielle Lee examine in their study of learning in salamanders?

Which of the following is NOT associated with learning?

Describe the cognitive buffer hypothesis and the data on birds used to examine it.

Which of the following is not associated with behavioral traditions?

Under which of the following conditions would you expect habituation to occur?

The Science of Animal Behavior

Methods for Studying Animal Behavior

Evolution and the Study of Animal Behavior

Behavioral Genetics

Sensory Systems and Behavior

Communication

Foraging Behavior

Antipredator Behavior

Dispersal and Migration

Habitat Selection, Territoriality, and Aggression

Mating Behavior

Mating Systems

Parental Care

Sociality

Cooperative Behavior

Filters