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.
12 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Psychology Ethological and evolutionary explanations of aggression. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.