In Testing a Hypothesis That "Territorial Defense in European Robins

question 29

Multiple Choice

In testing a hypothesis that "territorial defense in European robins is a fixed action pattern that is released by the sight of orange feathers," researchers found that robins defended their territory by attacking a ball that was about the size of a European robin that had an orange patch. Which of the following would be the best test of the hypothesis that the color was the cue that triggered the defense response?

• A) Repeat the experiment using a blue patch instead of an orange patch.
• B) Cover the eyes of the robin before placing the ball with the orange patch near the bird.
• C) Repeat the experiment by using a ball that was twice the diameter and had the original orange patch.
• D) Repeat the experiment by using a ball that had an orange patch that was twice the size of the original orange patch.

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