NHA Flashcards
why are NHA’s used in psychology (strengths)
don’t have to pay them
easier to access
easier to monitor (keep in a cage)
theories generated from research on animals can be applied to humans
weaknesses of using NHA in psychology
cannot consent
cause harm to the animal
animal studies lack ecological validity
cannot compare behaviour directly to humans as they are much more complicated
4 areas within this debate
BPS guideline
comparative/ethological psychology
use as a therapeutic device
speciesism
example of a BPS guidline
E
3 R’s Replace reduce and refine. these guidelines were first proposed by Russel and Birch in 1959. research should, wherever possible, replace animals with suitable alternatives (e.g. brainscans) to reduce the number of animals used and refine procedures so they cause less suffering. a national group (NC3Rs) has been set up to encourage research and support the use of the 3Rs through research and education
evidence to support the use of the safeguards in place (BPS guidelines)
it can be argued that the safeguards in place do provide adequate limitations, the animals act, the ethical guidelines, and the home office restrictions are effective and among the strictest in the world. they ensure animals are humanely treated and that alternatives are considered. the dramatic reduction of the use of animals over the last 15 years is evidence that the safeguards are working.
contrast of the use of the BPS guidlines
it is difficult to define what justifies the use of animals in some cruel conditions. a key weakness of these safeguards can be seen in the enforceability, it may be that unethical research is carried out, but just not detected. it is unclear as to how safeguards are policed and whether we have the resources to monitor such practices.
why is the effectiveness of the BPS guidelines limited
due to these being unable to be enfored
what is comparative psychology
the study of non-human animals, which carries the intention of making comparisons to humans
example of comparative psychology
E
Harry Harlow conducted research on Rhesus monkeys where they were separated from their mothers at birth and placed in cages. they were given the option of two wired mothers, one supplied food, the other offered comfort (covered in a soft cloth)
the monkeys chose to spend most of their time, up to 22 hours a day, with the cloth mother, would only lose their grip and switch to the other mother when forced through hunger
a strength of Harry Harlows research
this research revolutionised current thought in psychology as it suggested that feeding was not necessary for the development if an attachment. strengthened the case for infants to be able to form strong, loving bonds with people other than their biological mothers. supported foster or adoptive relationships. studying another species allowed for the avoidance of the complex ethical issues that would have made study of maternal deprivation impossible to complete with human pps.
why is using animals in ways (harry harlows research) acceptable
as the findings have had a huge beneficial impact to our understanding of human behaviour
weakness of comparative research (Harry Harlows)
at what cost did this improve knowledge of human behaviour and benefits to psychology come?
the monkeys used developed into emotional maladjusted adults despite their contact comfort with their surrogate cloth covered mother, they were unable to socialise with other monkey and they rejected their own infants. this implies the negative impacts on the monkeys were long lasting. it must be questioned as to whet
what needs to be questioned when using animals
W of using NHA in comparative psychology
questioned as to whether using animals in research is ethically acceptable. harlow deemed it unethical to do this research to humans so the same should be applied to animals
Konrad Lorenz research
comparative psychology
split a set of gosling eggs into 2 groups, first left to hatch with their biological mother, second placed in an incubator. he ensured he was the first moving thing that the incubated gosling saw on hatching. goslings would follow Lorenz everywhere (they thought he was their mother. Lorenz even taught them how to swim. he called the term imprinting- a biological need to form an attachment with a living thing.
what does Lorenz ethological research suggest
humans may have a real need to form attachments to increase their propensity for survival and that there is likely a ‘critical period’ where it is essential that a child forms a deep attachment to ensure stable emotional development
why is ethological psychology not always a good thing
there are many ways we are not similar to the species. cannot compare humans to birds as humans are far more intelligent and much of our behaviour is due to a conscious decision rather than due to an innate/biological drive
example of the use of NHA as a therapeutic device
Animal assisted therapy has the aim of transferring social skills learned with animals to one’s human relationship and interactions in hopes of benefiting socially isolated individuals. a bond between client and animal is developed through interactions like grooming the animal. (the beginning of a social bond). the therapist may use this relationship to explore sensitive issues and discuss painful experiences
strength of NHA as a therapeutic device (why is this a good thing)
effective in the treatment of mental health conditions. Friedman and Son reviewed 28 studies using AAT and found that all studies reported beneficial effects for emotional problems including schizophrenia, developmental disabilities and downs syndrome
weakness of NHA being used as a therapeutic device
is still a relatively new treatment, and the evidence into how effective it remains mixed. an ethical issue. AAT cam be stressful for the animal involved, if the benefits to the client are minimal it may be argued that AAT is unethical as the benefits outweigh the costs. +Kamioka
Kamioka et al
weakness of use of NAH as a therapeutic device
reviewed previous research into the effectiveness of AAT, specifically in treating mental and behavioural disorders, concluded AAT may be and effected treatment for disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and addiction, but only for people who like animals. more research needs to be done
what is speciesism
the idea that being human is a good enough reason for human animals to have greater rights than non-human animals.
contradictory evidence to singers speciesism evidence
however gray suggested we have a special duty of care to humans, so speciesism is not equivalent to racisim
evidence of speciesism
singer argues that discrimination based on membership of a species is no different from racial or gender discrimination and thus suggested the use of animals is an example of ‘speciesism’
supporting evidence as to why using animals is research is okay
speciesism
the ‘animal rights’ argument can be challenged by exaining the concepts of rights-having rights is dependent on having responsibilities in society i.e. as citizens. it can therefore be said that as animals do not have any responsibilities, they also do not have any rights. doesn’t matter if we use them in psychological research
argument against speciesism
(why animals should not be used)
the argument regarding responsibilities has flaws. there are many humans who similarly do not have responsibilities (disabled children) However few would suggest it would be morally acceptable to perform studies on them. another argument against the use of animals is that animals may be sentinent. this means they can feel and think and experience emotions. this means the animals in the research can suffer much in the same way that humans do; therefore children should not be treated as superior
