What term describes the features of a stimulus sufficient to bring about a specific fixed action pattern (FAP)?

The term that best describes the features of a stimulus sufficient to bring about a specific fixed action pattern (FAP) is "sign stimuli." Sign stimuli are specific characteristics of a stimulus that trigger an automatic and instinctive response or behavior in an organism, which is often preprogrammed and does not require prior learning.

For example, in the context of animal behavior, certain visual or auditory signals can elicit instinctive actions like mating or aggression. These stimuli are recognized by the organism's sensory systems and lead to a consistent response every time, embodying the concept of a fixed action pattern. Thus, when an organism perceives a sign stimulus, it may activate a series of behaviors without cognitive processing, illustrating the role of these stimuli in innate behavior.

This understanding emphasizes how animals respond to environmental cues that are critical for survival and reproduction, as well as how these responses are hardwired into their biology. Other terms listed may be related but refer to specific aspects of signaling and response mechanisms rather than serving as a direct descriptor for the features of the stimulus itself that trigger behavior.