Assumptions + Animal Research + Research Methods Flashcards
4 assumptions of learning approach
- learning from our environment e.g. born as blank slate (tabula rasa)
- laws of the same for all species e.g. skinners rats
- study on observable behaviour, learning is stimulus response, not mental processes
E.g. imitation, role models - use of scientific research method
Pros of use of animal research
- valid
- Long term effects on behaviour can be studied
- Invasive
- reliable
How is animal research valid ?
- conducted in a lab
- can have high control on extraneous variables on animals than human e.g what they eat
T/F, ensure manipulation of IV cause changes in DV of animals behaviour, establish cause of effect
How is animal research enable long term effect behaviour be studied ?
- animals reproduce faster e.g. rats can start reproduce at 6 years old and each time produce 6-8 mice
T/F, easily able to study effect of learning behaviour or biology over generations in a short period of time
How is animal research invasive ?
- can do things to animals that can’t to humans e.g. remove brain to study influence on behaviour
- t/f, allow us to understand more about influence of biology on behaviour
How is animal research reliable ?
- conducted in highly control lab setting, use standardised procedure
- can use large sample of animals e.g.rats as they breed quickly and more
- t/f, easy to replicate to establish consistent findings
Cons of animal research
- anthropomorphic
- lacks ecological validity
How is animal research anthropomorphic ?
- large difference between humans and animals e.g. different genotype such as chromosomes numbers
- animals are more instinctive that more driven by nature but humans influenced by nurture and interactions with each other e.g. when form attachment
T/f, behaviour displayed on animals cannot be generalised to human
Ethical guidelines of animal research (5)
- care over caging and social environment
- avoiding discomfort and distress
- suitably qualified researchers
-cost- benefits analysis - look for alternatives
Pros of animal ethical guidelines (3)
- protects animals
- adhering to societies moral standards
- research can be conducted on animals that would not be possible on humans
Cons of animal ethical guidelines (4)
- guidelines can hinder research because of restrictions
- endangered species cannot be used, some reach is not possible
- smallest number of animals used, affect reliability
- getting licence from home office and right qualified reachers take time and expensive which limits research
How does ethical guidelines protect animals ?
- care over caging and social environment must be akin to natural environment as much as possible. Avoid discomfort and distress and suitably qualified researchers to ensure animals are 100% safe throughout the whole study
- t/f shows respect to animals this more ethical
How does animal ethical guidelines adhering to societies moral standards?
It is against law to harm animals ( animal welfare act2006) says pet owners, breeders, those working with animals must be responsible for animals and prevent suffering in their care
T/f, it is a moral and legal duty to protect animals
How does research can be conducted on animals that can’t on human a positive of animal ethical guidelines?
E.g. skinner put rats and pigeons in cages and subjected them to electric shocks to investigate the role of punishment on learning
T/f, it is the only way to find answers to particular research questions
However, having E.G means research is carried out without feeling the cost of findings is too high so can be argued that animals should not be used in any research
How can guidelines hinder research because of restrictions ?
Guideline- avoid discomfort and distress may limit certain procedures that requires caging which could cause significant pain and distress to animals even the research can leads to important discoveries
- T/f, alternative methods need to be found which would take more time and more expensive which leads to ineffective than the original approach
How does endangered species cannot be used so some research is not possible?
- species such as gorillas are on the WWF endangered list but these species are genetically similar to humans so they would be very useful to study
-t/f, research cannot be done which limits our understanding towards certain species or our behaviour because we cannot answer these research questions
How does small number of animal used affect reliability of research ?
There is a need to minimise harm by using smallest number of subjects which means individual difference would be increased so leads to consistency of findings cannot be replicated
-t/f, subjects may not be representative and so cannot generalise to that species means the research reduce external validity
6 types of observations method
- naturalistic
- controlled
- participant
- non participant
- overt
- covert
AO1 of naturalistic observation
- conducted in participants natural environment
- observer avoid direct manipulation or changing the environment
E.g. Clive wearing being observed for recording memory at his house carefully
Evaluation of naturalistic observation
+ no manipulation/ no demand characteristics = natural behaviour
+ ecologically valid
- subjective
- cannot control extraneous variables = lacks external validity
AO1 of controlled observations
- conditions controlled by researcher in a high artificial setting
- control all extraneous variables
- rigid coding system
E.g. Milgram’s study
AO3 of controlled observation
+ high internal validity = can establish cause of effect
+ reliable / standardised procedure
- lacks ecological validity
- demand characteristics if overt
AO1 of overt observation
- participants are fully aware they are being observed
- observer will be visible to participants either in the room or via camera or one way mirror
- participants know what behaviour is being watched e.g. big brothers TV show
AO3 of overt observation
+ informed consent
+ practical
- demand characteristics
- social desirability bias
