[kmarc]

> interpret "a small electrical pulse" as a collision

They don't interpret as a collision. IIUC current models of instinctive behaviors and learning are built up from the assumptions that

* if a source of event is "beneficial" (from a chemical, physical perspective, eg "food" / energy packet is there) then those cells, neurons, microorganisms are naturally selected which tend to approach / follow / capture that source

* if a source of event is non beneficial (threat / chemical incompatibility etc) then those survive which avoid that source.

Here it doesn't matter that the negative event is a "collision", eventually the organism('s building blocks) learn to avoid it.