1. an active searching process that precedes consummatory behavior (see consummatory response) and is indicative of desire. Influenced by learning and prior experience, it is highly flexible and—in mating behavior—helps to establish or maintain sexual interaction prior to copulation.

2. feeding activity, which is influenced in part by the central nervous system, including areas of the brainstem and nuclei of the hypothalamus in the brain. Lesions of the ventromedial nucleus may result in excessive eating, whereas lesions of nuclei in the lateral hypothalamus may cause deficient eating.