Uses of animals in psychological research

Question 1

What is ethology?

Answer 1

Scientific study of animal behaviour - studied in own environment

Question 2

What is a lab experiment?

Answer 2

Natural environment for lab animals - observing behaviour with manipulation of IV

Includes IV and DV

Question 3

Why are animals used in psychological research?

Answer 3

For drug testing, study animal behaviour, + if researchers need high level of control

Question 4

What are the key features of lab experiments (for animal research)

Answer 4

• IV and DV
• High levels of control, e.g. diet, housing conditions, species interaction
• High level of standardisation- e.g. lesions on brain in same place

Question 5

Why is it easier to use animals in research?

Answer 5

• Can control feeding + diet
• Can control how theyre housed
• Looked after + handled in ways humans cant be
• Easier to establish cause + effect
• Short gestational periods - easier to investigate trends + greater samples
• Some research cant be done ethically on humans

Question 6

What animals are often used in research + why?

Answer 6

Mice, fish, rats - Have similar brain structure to ours. If they behave in 1 way, can assume humans will behave in same way

Question 7

Why do we use animals in research rather than humans?

Answer 7

Can help reduce human suffering, animals brains are similar along with release of basic hormones + similar chemical transmitters

Can generalise results to humans

Question 8

Why does Broadbent advocate the use of animals?

Answer 8

1. Evolutionary continuity- transfer findings from animals to humans
2. Ethical consideration - experiments can be done that cant be on humans
3. Applying occams razor - Studying simple systems to understand complex ones
4. Convenience as ppts - Reproduce + go thru life cycle quick
5. Testing hypothesis - Test early to then test on humans

Question 9

Why can we generalise results to humans?

Answer 9

Evolutionary continuity, basic brain structures (mid, hind, forebrain), basics of nervous system, basic hormones (testosterone), basic neurotransmitters (dopamine)

Question 10

Why cant we generalise results to humans?

Answer 10

Language, humans have larger cortex proportionally (more complex than animals), cog skills (e.g. problem solving), role model selection, social interaction, human emotions