Which concept relates to behaviors that are inherited genetically?

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Get ready for the UCF PSY2012 General Psychology Exam. Practice with hints and explanations to improve your understanding. Master your exam preparation today!

The concept associated with behaviors that are inherited genetically is instincts. Instincts are innate patterns of behavior that organisms exhibit, often in response to specific stimuli in their environment. These behaviors are typically hardwired, meaning they are not learned but rather are present from birth.

Instincts play a crucial role in survival and reproduction, guiding animals (including humans) in vital behaviors such as mating, feeding, and nurturing. For example, migratory patterns in birds or nursing behaviors in mammals are both instinctual and arise from genetic inheritance.

In contrast, social learning involves acquiring behaviors through observation and imitation of others, which relies on environmental interactions rather than genetic predisposition. Conditioning refers to the learning processes where associations are formed between stimuli and responses, such as classical conditioning or operant conditioning, which are shaped by experience. Operant responses are specific behaviors that are influenced by the consequences that follow them, such as rewards or punishments, rather than being innate. Thus, instincts are the concept that directly pertains to genetically inherited behaviors.