Animal Behavior

Turner, Homer D.                        Hubbard High School
                                        6200 S. Hamlin
                                        Chicago, IL 60629
                                        1-312-838-5100

Objectives

1) Students will observe stimulus-response behavior. 
2) Demonstrate the use of the scientific method. 
3) To distinguish between learned behavior versus innate (inborn) behavior.

Equipment and Materials

Leeches                       Flashlight
Crayfish                      Beral Pipettes
Earthworms                    Thermometer
Ice and Water                 Batteries and Wire
Liver                         Forceps
Sugar                         Trays
Vinegar                       Box and cardboard

Recommended Strategies

Demonstrate stimulus-response actions from your class by the firing of a toy cap gun. 
Discuss student reactions to the stimulus by questioning what has happened. Discuss 
stimulus-response in terms of human behavior. What types of behavior do humans have? 
What causes us to behave in a certain way? Are we all born with the same behavior? 
Distinguish between the types of behavior, learned and innate (inborn). List examples 
of each type, with the class submitting answers. 

Concentration will be on the stimulus-response actions of lower animal forms. 
Introduce the leech and the crayfish to the class as the specimens for this activity. 

Introduce the stimuli to be used for the activity. Liver, weak acid (vinegar), and 
sugar water will be used for chemical stimuli. Battery and wire will be used for 
slight electrical stimulus. Cardboard box and flashlight will be used to test light-
darkness stimulus. Use a section of cardboard for gravity stimulus. Crushed ice, warm 
water, and a thermometer will be used for change in temperature stimulus. 

Students will make up and perform their own strategies with the materials provided by 
using the scientific method. Review the scientific method. 

     A. Define the Problem- What is our task for today?  
     B. Collect Information- Where can we get info. on specimens? 
     C. Form Hypothesis- What do you think will happen?
     D. Experimental Procedures- Be specific as possible and very careful. 
     E. Observe and Record Data- Be very specific.
     F. Conclusions- What do you think happened?

Separate class into groups. Each group will have three students. From each group 
there will be a speaker, recorder, and materials taken. A particular stimulus will be 
assigned to each group. Review stimulus with each group and reiterate, we are 
concerned with stimulus-response actions. 

Discussion of methods used and conclusions drawn by each group. Assignment will be 
handed in as a group activity. Cooperative groupwork is essential. 

Groups will exchange assignments during next class period and perform their own 
strategies to a different stimulus while comparing with another group's strategies. 

For homework, groups will makeup their own follow-up questions and answer them as 
a group.