Researchers observed male fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus) in their natural woodland territories. When a highly realistic model of an adult male competitor with bright blue throat and belly patches was introduced, the resident males immediately exhibited a fixed sequence of threat displays (rapid head-bobbing, full-body push-ups, and lateral compression of the torso). The exact same sequence of behaviors was also triggered when a simple grey cardboard card with blue paint swatches was presented. However, no aggressive threat displays were triggered by a highly detailed, realistic model of a rival lizard that was painted entirely grey (lacking the blue patches).
Describe what is meant by a fixed action pattern. Refer to the study of fence lizards 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.