Behavior of Young Children in the Presence of Different Kinds of Animals

Behaviors of day-care and kindergarten children interacting with a live tarantula, a cockatiel, two breeds of rabbits, and two breeds of dogs, as well as various toy animals, were recorded and analyzed by means of videotape. Unique response patterns, independent of the ages and genders of the children, were made to each type of animal. Various amounts of social facilitation were produced by the different animals independent of any apparent bonding between a child and a given animal. The toy animals evoked behavior primarily as a consequence of the generalization of responses made to the live animals.