In One Study, Rats Licked Frequently During Infancy by Their

question 50

Multiple Choice

In one study, rats licked frequently during infancy by their mothers were calmer than rats licked infrequently when faced with stress later in life. What is the most likely explanation for this difference?

• A) The rat pups that were frequently licked learned to engage in the licking behavior as a coping strategy during times of stress.
• B) Because mothers who chose to lick their pups had a calmer demeanor, their pups were raised in less stressful environments.
• C) By licking their pups, these mothers had influenced the expression of genes that influenced responses to a stress hormone.
• D) The "licking" prone mothers only cared for the calmest pups of the litter, causing the more aggressive pups to die prematurely.

Acknowledge the legal aspects and health risks associated with drug and alcohol use.

Understand the concept of incentives and how they motivate behavior.

Comprehend the drive theory of motivation and its implications for behavior change.

Recognize the role of biological signals and brain structures in hunger and satiety.

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Definitions:

Low Birth Weight

A term describing infants who are born weighing less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces), which can be associated with various health and developmental risks.

Gestational Age

The age of an embryo or fetus calculated from the first day of the mother's last menstrual period, often used in assessing developmental milestones and pregnancy progress.

Ethology

An interdisciplinary science that studies the biological and evolutionary foundations of behavior.

Evolutionary Bases

Evolutionary bases refer to the foundational principles and mechanisms of evolution that explain the genetic and phenotypic variations among species, including natural selection and genetic drift.