consummatory response

the final response in a natural chain of behaviors directed toward achieving a goal. For example, eating (to reduce hunger) is the final act of the sequence of responses involved in foraging for food, and copulation (to reduce the sex drive) is the final act of sexual behavior. In 1918, U.S. ethologist Wallace Craig distinguished between consummatory behavior as an innate stereotyped activity and appetitive behavior as the active searching process that precedes it. Also called consummatory act; consummatory behavior. See also goal-directed behavior.

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Psychology term of the day

November 19th 2024

criminal responsibility

a defendant’s ability to formulate criminal intent (see mens rea) at the time of the crime with which he or she is charged; it must be proved in court before the person can be convicted. Criminal responsibility may be excluded for reason of insanity (see Durham rule; irresistible impulse rule; M’Naghten rule) or mitigated for a number of other reasons (see diminished capacity; diminished responsibility).