1. If You Were a Sexually Transmitted Infection… Texas Woman’s University
John A. Terrizzi Jr.
Texas Woman’s University
Assignment
ABSTRACT
Parasite Host Manipulation
Parasites, like other organisms are in the business of surviving and, more importantly, reproducing.
Some parasites accomplish this goal by hijacking the behavioral system of their hosts.
For example, there is a fungus that can infect ants that causes the parasitized ants to climb to a high point and clamp down with their mandibles (see Figure 1). Subsequently, the fungus will grow and burst from the zombie ant’s head to release its spores.
Students read an articles and watch a TED Talk that describe and provide examples of parasite host manipulation and memes.
They are then provided with a prompt and asked to write a 1-2 page reaction paper.
Prompt: If you were a sexually transmitted infection, how would you manipulate your host’s behavior to increase your reproductive fitness? In your response, incorporate the readings on parasite host manipulation, as well as what you have learned about memes and evolutionary theory in your response.
Human nature is a difficult and complex topic that requires students to confront existential questions (e.g., do we have free will?). In order to facilitate learning, I expose students to a smorgasbord of ideas from a variety of disciplines (e.g., biology, philosophy, and psychology). One concept that has been particularly evocative and well received by students is parasite host manipulation.
Background
Figure 1: Parasitic Fungus and Ant Host
This assignment is from my Human Nature class. Human Nature is an interdisciplinary course that requires students to synthesize ideas from biology, philosophy, and psychology in order to grapple with the complexity of the human mind.
In this class students are encouraged to more deeply consider the implications of modern psychological science.
As such, the students are prompted with existential questions throughout the course.
What is the nature of the human mind?
Do we have free will?
What roles do our biology and environment play in our behavior?
In order to help facilitate these existential considerations, I expose the class to a veritable curiosity cabinet of phenomena that they may not have come into contact with in traditional psychology courses.
One of the concepts that has been particularly effective and well received by students is parasite host manipulation.
Participate
In 1 or 2 short sentences, if you were an idea, how would you manipulate your host to enhance your survival reproductive success?
Attach participation forms here
Infectious Ideas
Attach submission folder here
Memes are analogous to genes. Whereas genes are the unit of biological transmission, memes are described as the unit of cultural transmission.
Some have suggested that memes (or ideas) are infectious and may propagate themselves in a similar way as infectious agents.
Submit