releasing mechanism

American  

noun

Ethology.

1. a hypothetical control complex in the central nervous system of animals that triggers the appropriate behavioral response to a releaser.

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Example Sentences

At the same time, the ethologists described an “innate releasing mechanism”, a slower orchestration of these fast responses that increases the probability that a fundamental behaviour such as mating will occur.

From Nature

According to this model, the ritual movements of mating are the fixed-action patterns and the neuropeptides are the innate releasing mechanism.

From Nature

An even simpler explanation is that that contagious yawning is the result of a releasing mechanism – in other words, seeing someone yawn flips the yawning-switch in the brain, and that makes you yawn.

From Scientific American

Some tap holders are also constructed the same as this die holder, so far as the releasing mechanism is concerned.

From Project Gutenberg

Chet paid no heed; his every thought—his whole being, it seemed—was focused upon the lever that turned so slowly, that let fall, at last, a lock whose releasing mechanism clanged loudly through the metal wall.

From Project Gutenberg