Controversies (Non human animals)

Question 1

What is controversial about non human animals?

Answer 1

• when considering psychological research with non human animals, we are weighing up the conflict between the wider benefits for society and the potential harm to animals that are used.

Question 2

What are the BPS (British Psychological Society) guidelines for psychologists working with animals?

Answer 2

• the British Psychological Society publishes guidelines for research with animals. Psychologists are advised as follows:
• Conform to current legislation
• heed the R’s ( replace animal research with suitable alternatives, reduce the number of animals used, and refine procedures so that they cause less suffering)
• choose the species that are suited to the research purpose
• feed animals when not being studied, including the provision of companions for social animals
• etc
• The Animals (scientific procedures) Act (1986) requires that research with non human animals is only permitted by licensed researchers on licensed projects.
• licenses are only granted by the Home Office if:
• the knowledge to be gained from any investigation justifies harm or distress to animal participants.
• the research cannot be done using non animal methods
• any discomfort or suffering is kept to a minimum by appropriate use of anaesthetics or painkillers

Question 3

What is comparative psychology?

Answer 3

• comparative psychology is the study of non human animals, often with the intention of making comparisons with humans.
• one example is the work of Harry Harlow (1959) who placed baby rhesus monkeys in a cage with two mothers, one with a feeding bottle, and one wrapped in soft cloth.
• the monkeys chose to spend most time with the cloth covered mother, demonstrating the importance of contact comfort rather than feeding.
• However, the monkeys developed into emotionally maladjusted adults despite their contact comfort- they couldn’t socialise with other monkeys and rejected their own infants. nonetheless, the research did have important influence on the understanding of infant emotional development- the recognition that feeding alone was not the basis of the bond between the caregiver and infant.
• it should be acknowledged that some comparative research may be applied to benefit animals lives. e.g. Harlow’s research can be used to help improve the lives of monkeys in captivity or for breeding programmes for species in danger of extinction.

Question 4

What is ethological psychology?

Answer 4

• ethologists seek to study animals in a way that does not affect their behaviour, observing the animals in their environment with relatively little interference. for example, konrad lorenz (1935), arranged for some gosling eggs to hatch so he was the first moving thing they saw. These goslings then followed lorenz everywhere as if he was their mother. This research, like Harlow’s had important influence on understanding emotional development.
• Dian Fossey (1983) observed gorillas in their natural habitat in order to reach a greater understanding of their social relationships. Her work was made famous through the film gorillas in the mist.

Question 5

Non human animals as a use of therapeutic device?

Answer 5

• The presence of pets has been shown to reduce stress. for example, Karen Allen (2003) reported that the presence of pets reduced blood pressure in children reading aloud, buffered the elderly against life event stresses and reduced cardiovascular risk.
• a different kind of therapeutic approach aims to enable disturbed or socially isolated individuals to learn how to trust and form relationships with other people (i.e to form attachments).
• Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) may involve the use of dogs, cats, horses, dolphins or even fish and hamsters as ‘behavioural facilitators’
• The bond between client and animal is developed through physical interactions such as grooming or feeding the animal, later verbal interactions are encouraged. The ultimate aim is to be able to transfer social skills learned with animals to relationships with humans. in addition, the therapist can use the animal client relationship as a means of exploring sensitive issues and discussing painful experiences.

Question 6

Evaluation of AAT (Animal Assisted Therapy)

Answer 6

• Some studies have provided very encouraging evidence for the use of AAT. For example, Erika Friedmann and Heesook Son (2009) reviewed 28 studies using AAT and found that all the studies reported beneficial effects for emotional problems including schizophrenia, developmental disabilities and down syndrome.
• However other researchers have criticised such studies, MIchael Anestis et al (2014) reviewed 14 studies of equine therapy and identified a number of serious methodological issues- the sample sizes were very small, there were no control groups and individuals were not randomly allocated to treatment groups.

Question 7

What is Speciesism?

Answer 7

• Peter Singer (1975) argued that discrimination on the basis of memebership is no different from racial or gender discrimination and thus suggested that the used of animals is an example of speciesism, similar to racism or sexism
• On the other hand Jeffrey Gray (1991) suggested that we have a special duty of care to humans, and therefore speciesism is not equivalent to, for example, racism.

Question 8

Animal Rights

Answer 8

• At the opposite end of the spectrum from Gray is Tom Regan (1984), who believes that there are no circumstances under which animal research is acceptable. Singer’s view is a utilitarian one, i.e whatever produces the greater good for the greater number of individuals is ethically acceptable.
• This means that, if animal research can alleviate pain and suffering, it is justifiable.
• Regan’s position is an absolutist one. he claims that animals have a right to be treated with respect and should never be used in research.

Question 9

Where has animal research helped humans? (eg)

Answer 9

• it isn’t as simple as saying all animal research should be stopped. for example, british law requires that any new drug (e.g. antidepressants) must be tested on at least two different species of live mammal.
• such research inevitably results in some degree of pain and suffering for the animals involved
• however psychoactive drugs allow people with mental ilnesses to lead relatively normal lives (protecting them and protecting society).