Aggression: Innate Releasing Mechanisms & Fixed Action Patterns

The ethological theory proposes that aggression can be the result of an evolved automatic biological response in the brain. It is believed that animals have a built-in neural structure (a network of neurons) which, when exposed to specific stimuli (signs or releasers) such as facial expressions, will cause the release of an automatic behavioural response.

The inbuilt biological structure or process is called the Innate Releasing Mechanism (INR). The consequential aggressive behavioural sequence is called the Fixed Action Pattern (FPA). Innate releasing mechanisms are a key part of the ethological (instinctive) approach to aggression (and other behaviours such as courtship/mating). For example, when a dog sees a cat running away from them, they have an instinctive response to chase the cat. When the cat is still the innate releasing mechanism is not activated, but when the cat runs then the INR is activated and the chasing behaviour of the dog is an example of a fixed action pattern. The dogs desire to chase is automatic and instinctual in response to a cat or any other small animal running away from it.

Exam hint: In order to achieve high A01 marks it is important to clearly define key psychological terms such as innate releasing mechanisms and fixed action patterns. One way of ensuring knowledge and understanding is displayed is with the use of examples.

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