Individual lizards were repeatedly presented with a predator model. Over successive trials, they showed a reduction in the duration of their alarm response. Which one of the following is this an example of?
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To identify behavioral responses:
1. Habituation involves reduced responsiveness to repeated stimuli.
2. Sensitisation involves increased responsiveness to repeated stimuli.
3. Imitation and imprinting involve specific forms of learning unrelated to habituation.
Step 1: Understand the behavioral context.
The lizards showed a reduced alarm response over repeated presentations of the predator model. This behavior reflects a decreased reaction to a stimulus after repeated exposure, indicating a form of learning.
Step 2: Analyze the options.Option (A): Imitation refers to learning by observing and copying the behavior of another individual. This does not apply to the situation described.
Option (B): Imprinting refers to a rapid and irreversible learning process occurring at a specific life stage (e.g., chicks following their mother). This is not relevant to the situation described.
Option (C): Habituation refers to the process of decreased responsiveness to a repeated stimulus over time. This matches the described behavior of the lizards, as they reduce their alarm response after repeated exposure to the predator model.
Option (D): Sensitisation refers to an increased response to a stimulus over repeated exposures. This is the opposite of the described behavior.