For the IB Biology course: Option E Neurobiology and Behaviour.

2. Assessment Statements Obj.
E3.1 Distinguish between innate and learned behaviour. 2
Design investigations to investigate innate behaviour in invertebrates, including
E3.2 3
either a taxis or kinesis.
Analyse data from invertebrate behaviour experiments in terms of the effect on
E3.3 chances of survival and reproduction.
3
E3.4 Discuss how the process of learning can improve the chance of survival. 3
E3.5 Outline Pavlov’s experiments into conditioning of dogs. 2
Outline the role of inheritance and learning in the development of birdsong in young
E3.6 2
birds.
Command terms: http://i-biology.net/ibdpbio/command-terms/ Assessment statements from: Online IB Biology Subject Guide

3. Behaviour The behaviour of an animal is the ways in which it reacts and
relates to stimuli and the environment.
Innate Behaviour Learned Behaviour
Instinctive (Fixed Action Patterns) – Based on experience
genetically based
Not modified by the individual Modified by the individual by trial and error
Generally uniform: low variation in population High variation within the population
Unaffected by environment (in the individual) Highly affected by the environment
Beneficial behaviours evolve through natural Capacity to learn may be product of natural
selection: survival and reproduction. selection, rather than specific behaviours.
Examples: Examples:
Suckling instinct in newborns Acquisition of language & social skills
Migration of blackcaps Domesticated behaviour in pets
Hunting instincts Training dolphins to perform.

12. Learning for Survival
Innate behaviours can only be modified as a result of
natural selection, taking many generations. Learning allows
for behaviours to be modified by the individual, in
response to the environment, giving a survival advantage.
Many behaviours have an innate component, such as birds
learning birdsong, which can then be modified by learning.
Associative learning through classical conditioning pairs
stimulus with response. Animals can be conditioned to
accordingly to positive stimuli (such as mate calls) and
negative stimuli (such as danger).
With operant conditioning, positive behaviours are
rewarded (e.g. more food for foraging in one area), where
negative are punished (e.g. pain as a result of dangerous
actions).
Observation can be used as a method of learning, as can Human children learn by ‘Money See,
imprinting: learning which occurs at key periods of Monkey Do’. Chimps don’t. By Carl Zimmer.
development and susceptibility to learning. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/13/scien
ce/13essa.html?_r=0

14. How do you learn? TOK
Think of instances of learning in your own life. To Classically conditioning a human:
which of the following methods of learning
might you attribute them?
• Classical conditioning
• Operant conditioning
• Imprinting
• Observation/ imitation
If we think of learning as a ‘relatively permanent
change in behaviour’, can you think of examples
of behaviours or responses you have unlearned?
Why?
http://vimeo.com/5371237
How might the role of the following affect your
learning in a subject?
• Feedback
• Grades
• Demonstrations or labs
• Discussion

16. Use operant conditioning on yourself – try
the virtual skinner box above to
determine what the desired behaviours
are in levels 1, 2 and 3.

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