During an observation of territorial behaviour in male three-spined stickleback fish, a researcher presents them with various models. The fish ignore a highly realistic fish model that lacks a red underside, but vigorously attack a basic, non-fish-shaped wooden model that has a red stripe painted on its belly.
Explain how this scenario illustrates the concept of a 'fixed action pattern' in relation to ethological explanations of aggression.
Practise AQA A Level Psychology Ethological and evolutionary explanations of aggression with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 12 questions, 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.
