Final answer:
The term being described is a 'fixed action pattern,' which is a stable and preferred pattern of movement often used in daily activities and persists due to low variability. These are instinctual behaviors, and in humans, they relate to repetitive activities which can lead to health issues if there isn't enough variety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term described in the student's question is a fixed action pattern, which is a highly stable and preferred pattern of movement commonly used to accomplish activities of daily life. Many of these patterns are due to low variability and continue even after the initial stimulus is removed. An example of this can be seen in the three-spined stickleback fish where males exhibit aggressive behaviors towards objects with red undersides during breeding season, mistaking them for rival males.
Fixed action patterns are also relevant when considering human behaviors, particularly in repetitive physical activities that have become ingrained. For instance, for many people, much of their physical activity is unnaturally repetitive like computer operators or professional violinists. It is important, however, to maintain a variety in daily experience and exercise to prevent maladjustment and health issues that may arise from deviating significantly from the patterns of physical exercise found in human natural habitats.