Animal Behavior
Science

The learning process where an organism associates a stimulus with a reward or punishment
Classical conditioning
The learning process where an organism associates a stimulus with a reward or punishment. Classical conditioning. It is a learning method where an organism learns to connect a previously neutral stimulus with a positive or negative outcome.

Irreversible learning that happens at a specific time of an animal’s life, like identifying their mother at birth
Imprinting
Irreversible learning that happens at a specific time of an animals life, like identifying their mother at birth. Imprinting. Imprinting is a process where young animals form attachments and recognize certain individuals or things as a parent right after birth.

The natural selection of alleles that favors the survival of close relatives
Kin selection
The natural selection of alleles that favors the survival of close relatives. Kin selection. Kin selection is a process where individuals act to help relatives survive and reproduce, increasing shared genetic success.

The process of learning to associate a response with a reward or punishment
Operant conditioning
The process of learning to associate a response with a reward or punishment. Operant conditioning. In simple terms, operant conditioning is a way of learning where behaviors are shaped by rewards or punishments.