Some airports have attempted to scare geese off by playing goose alarm calls over loudspeakers. This tactic kept the geese away initially, but soon the geese ignored the alarm calls. How would you explain this outcome? a. The alarm calls are a social signal that geese ignore unless they can see the other geese. b. The geese became imprinted on the alarm calls. c. The geese used spatial learning to navigate the environment of the airport. d. The geese became habituated to the alarm calls when no danger was present.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the behavior of geese in response to repeated exposure to the same stimulus, in this case, the goose alarm calls.
2. Understand the concept of habituation, which is a decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated presentations.
3. Analyze whether the geese's response to the alarm calls changed over time due to the absence of actual danger associated with the calls.
4. Consider the option that best explains why the geese initially responded to the alarm calls but later ignored them.
5. Evaluate the options provided to determine which one correctly applies the concept of habituation to the scenario described.

Key Concepts

Habituation

Habituation is a form of learning in which an organism decreases or ceases its responses to a stimulus after repeated exposure without any negative consequences. In this case, the geese initially reacted to the alarm calls, but over time, they learned that the calls did not signal real danger, leading to a diminished response. This process is common in many animals as they adapt to their environments.

Social Signals

Social signals are cues used by animals to communicate with one another, often related to behaviors such as alarm calls, mating, or territory defense. In the context of geese, alarm calls serve as warnings to alert others of potential threats. However, if geese do not see other geese responding to these calls, they may disregard them, as the calls lose their significance without social reinforcement.

Imprinting

Imprinting is a rapid learning process that occurs during a critical period early in an animal's life, where they form attachments or recognize specific stimuli. While imprinting can influence behaviors, in this scenario, the geese's response to alarm calls is more related to habituation rather than imprinting, as they are not forming a lasting bond with the sound but rather learning to ignore it over time.