NON HUMAN ANIMALS Flashcards
What is a strength of using animals in psychological research?
We share common ancestry with animals, making some findings generalisable to humans.
Why might experiments on animals be less biased?
It’s easier for experimenters to remain unbiased, reducing interpretation errors.
Why can some experiments be carried out on animals but not humans?
Due to ethical and practical limitations on human research.
What is a methodological benefit of animal research?
Extraneous variables can be controlled, allowing for clear cause and effect.
How does animal lifespan benefit research?
Shorter lifespans and gestation periods allow for intergenerational studies.
Why might generalisability be a weakness of animal studies?
Humans have higher reasoning abilities and differ greatly from animals.
What is a common criticism of the ecological validity in animal studies?
Laboratory settings are highly artificial and not reflective of real life.
What are key ethical concerns with animal research?
Animals cannot consent or withdraw and may experience stress or harm.
What does the BPS require of animal research?
It must conform to legislation, be licensed, and aim to minimise harm.
What are the 3 R’s in ethical animal research?
Reduction, Replacement, Refinement.
What is Dunayer’s (2002) criticism of animal legislation?
It institutionalizes animal suffering like laws once did for slaves.
What did Kilkenny et al (2009) find about animal studies?
Many were poorly designed and lacked reporting on animal numbers.
What is comparative psychology?
Using animals to make generalisations about humans, especially when human studies are unethical.
What is a key limitation of comparative psychology?
Unnatural environments and ethical concerns limit findings.
What is ethological psychology?
Studying animals in their natural environment for more valid observations.
What is a drawback of ethological studies?
They are time-consuming, expensive, and lack control for cause and effect.
How are animals used as a therapeutic device?
They reduce stress and have mental health benefits in AAT.
What ethical issue surrounds Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)?
If benefits are minimal, the stress on animals may make it unethical.
What did Kamioka et al (2014) find about AAT?
It may be effective for mental disorders if patients like animals.
What did Anestis et al (2014) find about equine therapy?
Studies lacked validity and did not show ERT was better than other treatments.
What is speciesism?
Discrimination against animals based on their species.
What is Singer’s (1975) view on speciesism?
Humans unfairly discriminate against animals.
What is Grey’s (1991) argument for animal research?
Human lives are more valuable, justifying animal research for human benefit.
What is Regan’s (1984) absolutist view?
No animal experiment is ever ethical.
What is the utilitarian view on animal research?
It is ethical if it brings the greatest good to the greatest number.
Why do some argue animals have rights?
They are sentient and can feel pain, deserving respect.
What ethical challenge does the concept of animal rights raise?
Animals have rights but not responsibilities, similar to children or disabled humans.
What does the Treaty of Lisbon (2009) say about animals?
All animals are sentient beings.
