animal research

Question 1

animal research basic AO1

Answer 1

• The UK has the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to adhere to.
• There was apparatus and a qualified person would be needed to run the study, with anaesthetic as required.
• Non-human animals are used in psychology such as Skinner’s work on operant conditioning and Pavlov’s work on classical conditioning.
• Often research is done in labs in controlled and standardised settings
• Can use mice and primates
• Can use mice models to study genetic influence in illnesses e.g. Schizophrenia

Question 2

animal research ethical issues

Answer 2

• There are ethical issues with using non-human animals, such as needing to have a licence and
  having to use appropriate caging.
• Also endangered species are avoided, and there has to be minimal use.
• Other ways of studying the area must be considered such as using humans or computer
  simulation.
• The APA has Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in the Care and Use of Animals to guide researchers.
• Pavlov’s dogs may have suffered from being restrained

Question 3

animal research practical issue

Answer 3

• There are also practical issues with non-human animals such as them representing human processing to an extent but not fully.