The Graph Below Represents the Results of an Experiment Looking

question 15

Multiple Choice

The graph below represents the results of an experiment looking at mate preference in female black widowbirds. The researcher used three groups of male birds: one with artificially shortened tails, one with artificially lengthened tails, and the control group with unaltered tail lengths.

Although females prefer males with the longest tails, very long tails are typically not found among males in their natural environment. Why might this be the case?

• A) Male birds with very long tails are easily captured and eaten by predators, so they do not survive to reproduce.
• B) Male birds prefer having shorter tails.
• C) Mutations have kept tail lengths from increasing.
• D) There is no advantage to having increased tail length in the natural environment.

---

Definitions:

Social Learning

The process of acquiring new behaviors through observation and imitation of others, as proposed by Albert Bandura.

Classical Conditioning

The procedure of learning through establishing connections between a stimulus from the surroundings and one that occurs naturally.

Secondary Reinforcers

A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; also known as conditioned reinforcers.

Positive Reinforcement

A method in behaviorism where the introduction of a desirable or pleasant stimulus following a behavior increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.