A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Which of the following findings is related to the innate abilities of animals in terms of depth perception?

1. Chicks that hatched in the dark have better depth perception

2. Chicks immediately recognize their mother upon hatching

3. Chicks can navigate and avoid obstacles shortly after hatching

4. Chicks learn to avoid common predators over time

The correct answer is: Chicks can navigate and avoid obstacles shortly after hatching

The finding that chicks can navigate and avoid obstacles shortly after hatching is closely related to their innate abilities concerning depth perception. This capability suggests that even without prior experience, chicks possess a pre-programmed understanding of their spatial environment, allowing them to effectively assess distances and navigate around obstacles. Depth perception is essential for survival, as it enables animals to judge the spacing of objects and navigate through their surroundings more effectively. Chicks, having an instinctual ability to avoid obstacles immediately after hatching, indicates that they possess certain visual skills necessary for depth perception that are developed even in the absence of light exposure or learned experience. The other options, while highlighting other aspects of chick behavior—such as recognizing their mother or learning predator avoidance—do not specifically address the innate visual abilities related to perceiving depth.