Fixed action patterns are behavioural sequences that occur as a result of innate releasing mechanisms. 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; however, it is the cat running that activates the innate releasing mechanism. Consequently, the dog chasing the cat is an example of a fixed action pattern which is activated by an innate releasing mechanism. The dog’s desire to chase is automatic and instinctual in response to a cat or any other small animal running away.