The behavior involving the care and protection of the offspring by the females of a species is?

Appeared in: PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Explanation

Maternal behavior specifically describes the nurturing, care, and protection that females of a species provide to their offspring.
This is a fundamental drive, often considered a 'general motive', that is essential for the survival and development of the young.
This behavior is influenced by hormones, particularly prolactin from the anterior pituitary gland, which plays a significant role in motivating maternal actions.

Option B: Aggression is behavior aimed at causing harm or asserting dominance, which is the opposite of the nurturing and protective actions described.
Option C: Affiliation is a broader social motive related to the need to form bonds and friendships with others in a social group, not specifically the parent-offspring relationship.
Option D: The thirst motive is a basic physiological drive to consume water to maintain the body's fluid balance. It is unrelated to social or caregiving behaviors.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Classification of Motives and Maternal Behavior helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
In postpartum nursing, understanding and supporting the maternal motive is crucial for fostering a strong mother-infant bond, which is essential for the baby's well-being.
Nursing interventions like encouraging skin-to-skin contact, facilitating rooming-in, and providing lactation support are practical applications that strengthen this natural behavior.
What if? If a new mother shows signs of disinterest or detachment from her newborn (a disruption in maternal behavior), a nurse's priority action would be to assess for postpartum depression and ensure both mother and infant are safe, rather than just providing routine care.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core components of the question: 'behavior,' 'care and protection,' 'offspring,' and 'females.' These keywords point toward a parental or motherly instinct.
Next, evaluate the given options. The term 'Maternal' is a direct and precise word for motherly behavior.
Contrast the best-fit option with the others. 'Aggression' is the opposite of care. 'Affiliation' is too general (social bonding). 'Thirst motive' is a basic physiological need, not a caregiving behavior.
Conclude that 'Maternal' is the only term that specifically and accurately describes the care and protection of offspring by a female.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Textbook of Nursing Management and Leadership I. Clemen — Subpart B (pp 328-654 of 982) p. 306-308

Practise the full PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.