Researchers observed male European robins (Erithacus rubecula) in their natural nesting territories. When a highly realistic model of an adult competitor with a bright red breast was introduced, the resident males immediately exhibited a fixed sequence of threat displays (head-looping, wing-shaking, and pecking). The exact same sequence of behaviors was also triggered when a simple cluster of red feathers on a stick was presented. However, no aggressive threat displays were triggered by a highly detailed model of a rival robin that was painted entirely brown (lacking the red breast).
Describe what is meant by a fixed action pattern. Refer to the study of robins above in your answer.
Practise AQA A Level Psychology Aggression with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 71 questions covering Neural, hormonal and genetic factors in aggression, Ethological and evolutionary explanations of aggression, Social psychological explanations of aggression, Institutional aggression in prisons, and Media influences on aggression, matched to the AQA A Level Psychology (7182) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.