PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

Dissections are one way to implement hands-on methods in biology education. However, perceived disgust during dissections may compromise students’ interest. Videos and anatomical models can be less disgusting alternatives as there is no direct contact with dead material. In the current study, we examined the influence of these teaching methods and disgust on students’ psychological state of interest (state of interest). In contrast to prior studies, we used a multidimensional conceptualisation of interest by distinguishing the value-related, cognitive, and emotional components of the state of interest. The sample consisted of 251 students (14.15 ± 1.27 years, 50% female) from three different German secondary schools. The students attended a two-hour teaching unit about the anatomy of mammalian eyes. One group dissected a pig eye (n = 101), one watched a video of a dissection (n = 77), and one group worked with an anatomical model (n = 73). Multivariate analysis of variance with the two factors treatment (dissection, video, and anatomical model) and disgust regarding dissections (low, medium, and high levels of disgust) revealed several meaningful findings. Concerning the value-related component of students’ state of interest, the results showed a significant difference between the students with high disgust and the students with low and medium disgust. Furthermore, we found significant interaction effects regarding the cognitive and emotional components of interests. This indicates that the three treatments had different effects on the students’ state of interest depending on the level of disgust perceived while dissecting. Consequently, dissecting animal organs does not generally compromise students’ interest. Our study suggests that anatomical models might be an alternative to dissection for students with high disgust as these are less likely to impair their interest. In addition, we found differing effects related to the three components of students’ state of interest.