Ethological Theory Quiz for Developmental Psychology Students

📚 Quick Study Guide

• Konrad Lorenz and Niko Tinbergen are considered the founding fathers of ethology.
• 🐣 Ethological theory emphasizes the study of animal behavior in natural settings.
• 🐒 It suggests that behavior is strongly influenced by biology, is tied to evolution, and is characterized by critical or sensitive periods.
• 🕰️ Critical period: A specific time in development during which certain environmental influences can have an impact on development.
• 🦢 Imprinting: Rapid learning process by which a newborn or very young animal establishes a behavior pattern of recognition and attraction to another animal of its own kind or to a substitute.
• 👶 Ethological theory has been applied to human development, focusing on attachment and social behavior.
• 🤝 John Bowlby's attachment theory is influenced by ethological principles, emphasizing the importance of early parent-child interactions.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is a core principle of ethological theory?
   1. Behavior is primarily learned through conditioning.
   2. Behavior is strongly influenced by biology and evolution.
   3. Cognitive processes are the primary drivers of development.
   4. Social interactions have minimal impact on development.
2. Who is considered one of the founders of ethology?
   1. B.F. Skinner
   2. Jean Piaget
   3. Konrad Lorenz
   4. Albert Bandura
3. What is a critical period in ethological theory?
   1. A period of intense social interaction.
   2. A specific time during which certain environmental influences can have an impact on development.
   3. A stage of cognitive development.
   4. A period of physical growth.
4. Which concept did Konrad Lorenz famously study with geese?
   1. Conditioning
   2. Imprinting
   3. Reinforcement
   4. Punishment
5. Which of the following theories is heavily influenced by ethological theory?
   1. Psychoanalytic Theory
   2. Attachment Theory
   3. Social Learning Theory
   4. Cognitive Development Theory
6. What does ethological theory emphasize in the study of behavior?
   1. Laboratory settings
   2. Natural settings
   3. Virtual simulations
   4. Controlled experiments
7. According to ethological theory, behavior is tied to:
   1. Cultural norms
   2. Evolution
   3. Economic status
   4. Personal preferences