15.3.1 Innate Releasing Mechanisms (IRMs)

    Cards (134)

    • What is the adaptive value of sign stimuli in IRMs?
      Identifies rivals or threats
    • IRMs are triggered by specific environmental cues
    • IRM activation enables an aggressive response.
    • What is the function of IRM activation?
      Initiates FAP
    • The fixed action pattern ensures defense of territory and resources.
    • The red belly of male stickleback fish is a sign stimulus that triggers aggression
    • What are three types of innate behaviors?
      IRMs, reflexes, instincts
    • Match the type of innate behavior with its description:
      IRMs ↔️ Genetic neural circuits triggered by sign stimuli
      Reflexes ↔️ Simple, involuntary responses to stimuli
      Instincts ↔️ Complex, genetically determined behavior patterns
    • What triggers reflexes?
      Direct interaction with stimuli
    • IRMs involve a complete sequence of behavior
    • Instincts can be influenced by learning and environment.
    • What is an example of an IRM in male stickleback fish?
      Attacking red-bellied rivals
    • Reflexes are highly predictable and inflexible
    • What is an example of a reflex?
      Knee jerk reflex
    • Unlike stickleback fish, humans have complex social and cultural factors influencing aggression
    • What are innate releasing mechanisms (IRMs)?
      Genetic neural circuits
    • Innate Releasing Mechanisms (IRMs) are triggered by specific environmental stimuli called sign stimuli
    • Male stickleback fish display aggressive behavior towards other males due to the red belly sign stimulus
    • What is a fixed action pattern (FAP)?
      Stereotyped sequence of behaviors
    • When a sign stimulus activates an IRM, it triggers a fixed action pattern (FAP), which is a pre-programmed, stereotyped sequence of behaviors
    • Match the components of IRMs with their descriptions:
      Genetic neural circuits ↔️ Pre-programmed neural pathways
      Sign stimuli ↔️ Environmental cues that trigger IRMs
      Fixed action patterns ↔️ Stereotyped sequences of behavior
    • What environmental cue triggers aggressive behavior in male stickleback fish during mating season?
      Red belly
    • Innate Releasing Mechanisms (IRMs) are activated by environmental stimuli known as sign stimuli or releasers
    • Genetic neural circuits in IRMs are pre-programmed pathways in the brain.
    • What role do fixed action patterns (FAPs) play in IRMs?
      Stereotyped behavioral sequences
    • Innate Releasing Mechanisms (IRMs) are triggered by environmental cues called sign stimuli, which then initiate a fixed action pattern
    • Arrange the components of IRMs in the order they function:
      1️⃣ Genetic neural circuits
      2️⃣ Sign stimuli
      3️⃣ Fixed action patterns
    • What triggers a fixed action pattern (FAP)?
      Innate releasing mechanism
    • Sign stimuli are crucial environmental cues that activate IRMs, which then trigger a fixed action pattern
    • The red belly of male stickleback fish acts as a sign stimulus to trigger aggressive behavior.
    • What is the sequence of aggressive behavior initiated by the red belly of male stickleback fish?
      Attacking rival males
    • What does IRM stand for in animal behavior studies?
      Innate Releasing Mechanism
    • IRMs are triggered by specific environmental cues known as sign
    • The red belly of a male stickleback fish is an example of a sign stimulus that triggers an IRM.
    • What is the role of sign stimuli in activating IRMs?
      Activate genetic neural circuits
    • Order the sequence of events from sign stimulus to fixed action pattern:
      1️⃣ Sign stimulus is detected
      2️⃣ IRM is activated
      3️⃣ FAP is initiated
    • What does the red color of a male stickleback's belly specifically trigger?
      Aggression
    • Sign stimuli are highly specific to certain stimuli.
    • Why does the red belly of a male stickleback fish trigger aggression in other males?
      To ensure mating territory
    • The red belly of a male stickleback fish is an example of a sign stimulus.