What is the difference between learned and inherited behaviors?

Answer 1

The one difference between innate behavior and learned behavior is that learned behavior is learned during someones/somethings life span. Inherited behavior is something you get or adapt to as a new born.

Answer 2

Among humans, learned behaviors are taught to us by our parents, our culture, our peers, or our schools. For example, a baby does not know to say "thank you" when given something; this will be learned as the baby gets old enough to use language and to link together the receipt of something with the appropriate verbal response. Inherited behaviors come from our genes and from how we are "hard-wired"-- they are not taught, nor do they need to be. For example, babies instinctively know how to cry when they want something; they are born with the ability to utter this sound. They also seem to be born with the ability to smile.

The same is true in the animal world: animals are born with certain behaviors inherent to their species, while other behaviors necessary for survival and group cohesion must be taught to them by their mother or father or by other animals among their peers. And in some cases, certain animals (such as Koko the gorilla or Alex the gray parrot) can learn behaviors from humans that include verbal communication.

Answer 3

Inherited behaviours are ones that are passed down within a species. Learned behaviours are ones that are taught by parent organisms to their offspring. To distinguish between the two, one would have to separate the offspring from the parent at "birth" (depending on how they are born).

A good example would be a turtle. Female turtles lay their eggs, cover them up, return to the ocean, and never see their offspring. These baby turtles somehow know that they need to get to water. This knowledge and their ability to swim are inherited behaviours. A learned behaviour might be what they choose to eat. If they see that a food source did not kill off other turtles, they might snack on it too. Conversely, if the food source killed off other turtles, they would learn to stay away from the food or they would die. This aversion would be a learned behaviour.

Answer 4

Learned behaviors are acquired through experience and are not genetically programmed, while inherited behaviors are passed down from parent to offspring through genetics. Learned behaviors can change over time based on environmental factors and individual experiences, whereas inherited behaviors are more fixed and instinctual.