Which theory posits that all animal activity is learned rather than genetically programmed?

Behaviorism is the theory that asserts that all animal activity is learned through interactions with the environment rather than being driven by genetic programming or innate behaviors. This perspective emphasizes the role of external stimuli and reinforcement in shaping behavior, suggesting that through conditioning—whether classical or operant—animals can learn to respond to various stimuli in their surroundings.

By focusing on observable behaviors and how they are influenced by experience, behaviorism downplays the significance of inherited traits and instincts. This contrasts with other theories, such as instinct theory, which posits that certain behaviors are pre-wired and innate, arising from the species’ evolutionary history. Cognitive theory, on the other hand, incorporates internal mental processes into understanding behavior, suggesting that animals also engage in planning and reasoning. Lastly, evolutionary theory examines how behaviors may have developed as adaptations to enhance survival rather than being solely learned.

The emphasis on learned behavior is a fundamental principle of behaviorism, thereby reinforcing the concept that an animal's activity can be shaped and modified through training and experience, rather than through an instinctual blueprint.