Animal Studies Flashcards
Animal studies
Psychological studies using animals is different in that they are studied in an artificial environment that allows for precise control and measurement of variables
Why animals?
-Interest – psychologists are interested in behaviour, animal behaviour is as valid as human behaviour.
-Insight into human behaviour – studying animals can offer possible explanations of human behaviour(evolutionary continuity)
-Convenience and practicality – animals reproduce more rapidly that humans and therefore we can study them across the life-span far more quickly.
-Control – animals are easier to control than humans which means it is easier to conduct experiments – controlled variables
What is evolutionary continuity?
The belief that humans and animals are basically the same but at different stages of evolution.
Arguments FOR the use of animals
-Humans should use animals if it benefits the human species
Gray (1991)-we have a responsibility to our species to understand as much as we can
-Research should take place if it is for the greater good of the greater number (Singer, 1975)
-Evolution means we have similarities with animals and generalising findings from animal studies is appropriate
-It is practical to use animals because of a shorter breeding cycle and so on, where it is not practical to use humans
-There are now sufficient guidelines, rules and laws in place to protect animals from unnecessary suffering so using them is ethical and acceptable.
Arguments AGAINST the use of animals
-No animals should be used in any studies, and cost vs benefit analysis is not appropriate
-We should not carry out studies on animals that we would not do on humans
-We have a moral obligation to protect other species
-Animals are different from humans, findings from animal studies are not useful so it is not ethical to carry them out
-Research with animals lacks validity sufficiently (and generalisability) so they should not be carried out as findings have no value
-Costs to the animals might not be known at the outset; the benefits might not be certain either as the findings are yet to be uncovered.
What must researchers demonstrate regarding the 3 ‘R’s?
They must consider replacing, reducing, and refining procedures for animal research.
What does ‘replacing’ refer to in the context of the 3 ‘R’s?
Replacing animals with non-sentient alternatives whenever possible.
What does ‘reducing’ refer to in the context of the 3 ‘R’s?
Reducing the number of animals used in research.
What does ‘refining’ refer to in the context of the 3 ‘R’s?
Refining procedures to minimize suffering.
To carry out animal research you need-
-decided that the benefits of undertaking the research outweighs any costs to the animals.
-Individuals undertaking the research are also required to have a personal licence, which is only given after training to ensure they are competent to perform the procedure.
-They are required to seek to minimise any pain, suffering or distress that might arise, given the requirements of the experimental design.
-Whatever procedure is in use, any adverse effects on animals must be recognised and assessed, and immediate action taken whenever necessary.
-The licensed researcher has responsibility to make sure this happens.
What is ‘speciesism’ according to Singer?
The belief that humans are more important than other species.
What is the purpose of Bateson’s Decision Cube?
To weigh costs to the animal against the benefits of the study.
What is a significant legislative act that protects animal rights in research?
-The British Psychological Society (BPS) clearly states that permission to perform animal procedures regulated under the 1986 Act will not be granted unless the researcher can justify the costs to the animals in relation to the likely benefits of the research.
This restricts someone from simply using animals in experiments because there is a curious interest.
It has to be shown to have some potential value in undertaking the research.
Practical strengths
-Some procedures require strict control over the environment – this may not be possible with humans
-Some animals have very short gestation periods and short reproductive cycles
-Drugs have been developed that could otherwise not have been developed.
-Relatively small and easy to handle. Some animals (mice etc) have a similar brain structure to humans
Practical weaknesses
-Relatively small and easy to handle. Some animals (mice etc) have a similar brain structure to humans
-Their genetic structure is not the same as humans: results may not be generalisable
-Human lives are complex and factors rarely occur in isolation
-Some diseases (Parkinson’s) have to be replicated in animals using drugs, and so may not be the same as the disease itself. Therefore, studies might lack validity
