Non Human Animals

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

One controversy in psychology is the use of non-human animals in research studies. There are multiple points to evaluate when discussing this topic. NHA can be used psychology as a means of conducting experiments that may not be possible on humans, used to develop drug therapies, treatments. However there are ethical concerns in regards to using NHA as well as other studies on animals.

(if statement links here)

Question 2

BPS

Answer 2

Opening :
Ensures research using NHA is acceptable, psychologists must adhere to guidelines that have been put in place (link)

Evidence :
- 2000, guidance offered by Home office, original Russel and Birch, 3Rs, replace, reduce, refine
- care for animal when not studied
- Consider previous experience of animal and comfier food intake met
- Animals Act 1986 requires research with NHA is permitted by licensed researchers on licensed projects

Strength
Safeguards and provides protection, provides adequate limitations, Home office guidelines are effective and amongst most strictest in the world. Ensures NHA are humanely treated (link)

Weakness
Difficult to define what justifies use of animals in cruel conditions. Ethical guidelines still permit animal use however helps to ensure it’s done in controlled way. Laws put in place are vague, people may misinterpret or ignore as a result. Harding’s study of cocaine in rats, later found that rats neglected of food. (Link)

Conclusion
While BPS guidelines have safeguards in place, quite vague and can be interpreted in ways that are unethical, suggest humans moral rights protected more (Link)

Question 3

Comparative psychology

Answer 3

Opening
Studies on animals to make comparisons to humans can benefit society as behaviours can be understood
(link)

Evidence
Harry Harlows rhesus monkey studies where monkey were separated from mother at birth, placed in cages. Two options of wired mother, one provides nourishment through feeding bottle, other offers comfort as had a soft cloth wrapped around. Monkeys spent 22 hours with soft wired mother and forced through hunger to got to wired mother for nourishment.

Strength
Research revolutionised psychology as it suggests feeding was not necessary for strong development of attachment, can form loving bonds with people other than mother, comfort also preferred than food (Link)

Weakness
Two problems, highly unethical as monkeys developed to be emotionally unstable adults, unable to socialise and rejected own infants. Also lacked ecological validity as study was conducted in a lab setting, hard to generalise (Link )

Conclusion
Cost benefit analysis must take place before using NHA in studies, costs highly outweigh here.
(Link)

Question 4

Therapeutic device

Answer 4

Opening
Presence of pets have shown to reduce stress, reduced BP in children reading aloud (Allen)
(Link)

Evidence
Animal assisted therapy aims to transfer social skills learned with animals to one’s human relationships and interactions, benefits disturbed individuals. Creates social bond between clients and animal

Strength
Supportive evidence for use of AAT in treatment on individual with mental health conditions. Friedman and Son reviewed 28 studies using AAT and found all studies reported beneficial effects for problems like schizophrenia, Down syndrome (Link )

Weakness
AAT still relatively new treatment, evidence into its effectiveness still relatively new. Can be an ethical issue as it could be stressful for animals and client, especially if they are not an “animal person”. (Link)

Conclusion
Cost benefit analysis must take place to minimise ethical concerns (Link)

Question 5

Speciesism

Answer 5

Opening
Idea that being human is good enough reason for humans to have greater rights than NHA
(Link)

Evidence
Utilitarian view is whatever produces the greater good for greatest number of individual is acceptable (Singer). Absolutist view is that there are no circumstances under which animal research is acceptable (Reagan)

Strength
Animal rights argument can be challenged by examining concept of rights. Rights are dependent on having responsibilities in society as citizens. Therefore as animals don’t have responsibilities, don’t need same rights as humans. (Link)

Weakness
Argument regarding responsibility has flaws, many humans who likewise don’t have responsibilities such as children, disabled. Few would suggest it would be morally acceptable to perform studies on them. (Link)

Conclusion
Those agreeing with utilitarian view therefore agrees if benefits outweigh costs, studies are acceptable but absolutist views reject animal studies whatever the reason. (Link)