Submission Behavior Calculator

The Submission Behavior Calculator quantifies the rate at which submissive / appeasement / yielding signals occur per individual per unit time — one of the core metrics used in ethology, social behavior research, animal welfare science and veterinary behavioral medicine.

It follows standard behavioral sampling and rate calculation methods described in classic and contemporary ethology textbooks and papers (Altmann 1974, Martin & Bateson 2007, Lehner 1996, McGreevy et al. 2011, Bradshaw et al. 2016, Overall 2013, Landsberg et al. 2013, Horwitz & Mills 2009).

Submission / appeasement signals (head aversion, crouching, tail tucking, lip licking, rolling over, freezing, flight, etc.) are low-cost conflict-resolution behaviors that:

• Prevent escalation to costly physical fights
• Maintain social stability in groups
• Signal acceptance of lower rank / non-threat
• Reduce stress for both sender and receiver

Quantifying submission rate allows researchers and practitioners to:

• Assess social tension and welfare in captive / farm animals
• Detect early signs of bullying or social instability
• Compare groups before/after intervention (enrichment, regrouping, castration)
• Study personality, coping styles, fearfulness, dominance relationships
• Evaluate training methods, shelter behavior, working dog suitability

High submission rate in one individual often indicates social subordination or chronic stress; very low rate in a group may indicate despotism or absence of clear hierarchy.

More practical resources → Agri Care Hub | Submission Behavior on ScienceDirect

1. Enter total observation duration in minutes (30–480 typical)
2. Enter total count of submissive acts observed (pooled across individuals)
3. Enter number of individuals present
4. Choose whether to use simple count or intensity-weighted scoring
5. If weighted → fill low / medium / high intensity counts
6. Select context / situation modifier that best fits your observation
7. Click “Calculate Submission Rate”

Results give:

• Raw rate (acts/ind/hour)
• Intensity-adjusted rate (if selected)
• Context-corrected index
• Qualitative interpretation

Basic submission rate (most common):

Submission rate = (total submissive acts / number of individuals) / (minutes / 60)

Intensity-weighted rate (when selected):

Weighted acts = low × 1 + medium × 3 + high × 7

Weights follow common ethological scoring systems (Schenkel 1967, Fox 1971, Bradshaw et al. 2016, McGreevy et al. 2011, Overall 2013).

Context modifier: simple multiplier reflecting published differences in submission frequency across social situations (typically 0.4–2.2 range).