Final answer:
The correct answer is option a) Genetic and biological influences.
Step-by-step explanation:
When psychologists mention the term "nature" regarding causes of behavior, they refer to genetic and biological influences. This is in contrast to "nurture," which signifies environmental experiences that shape behavior. The nature-nurture debate examines the extent to which behaviors are the result of inherited genes (nature) or are influenced and learned through environmental factors (nurture).
Innate, or instinctual, behaviors such as mating systems and methods of communication, arise from the organism's genetic code and are seen across members of a species naturally without the need for environmental learning. On the other hand, behaviors like imprinting, habituation, conditioning, and cognitive learning are shaped by interactions with the environment. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is a) Genetic and biological influences.