Welfare Definitions, Concepts & Frameworks Flashcards
What is animal welfare based on?
Whether we believe it is sentient or not
Define sentience?
Having the awareness and cognitive ability necessary to have feelings
Why is welfare different to most other sciences?
It focuses on the individual animal
Why is it hard assume an animals experience?
They have different sensory capacities to humans
They’ve evolved to different environments to humans
They have different behavioural properties to humans
Because we cannot assume animals experience something the way humans do what does this mean?
That non-human animals will suffer in a situation which humans would enjoy and vice versa.
To say what is good welfare we need evidence to decide what?
How we keep animals
How we treat animals
How we look after animals
How we monitor whether or not the welfare is good
Evidence of good welfare can then be used to change what?
Societal views Policy Practices Teaching Legislation Monitoring/assurance
Why is it hard to get enough scientifically useable evidence of good welfare?
Welfare is based on an individual organisms internal experience
What 3 viewpoints do welfare definitions usually fall into?
Functioning
Feeling
Natural living
Which welfare viewpoint does the earliest welfare research usually fall into?
Functioning
Because animal welfare was being developed in a scientific environment what happened?
This meant that unless someone could measure the “thing” that it doesn’t exist.
So for animal welfare they needed to be able to measure welfare
What did functioning researchers measure to measure welfare?
Biological aspects they believed reflected an animals welfare state.
What is Broom’s 1991/1998 definition of functioning?
The welfare of an animal is its state as regards to it’s attempts to cope with the environment
What did Broom mean by state?
How much energy/effort an animal must invest in something to allow it to cope with environmental challenges and whether or not the coping mechanism worked
What does Broom mean by welfare?
How much effort an animal invests in overcoming environmental challenges and whether the coping mechanism works
What is the the second part of Broom’s functioning welfare viewpoint definition?
The state includes how much it [the animal] is having to do to cope, the extent to which it is succeeding in or failing to cope, and it’s associated feelings
What is Broom’s full functioning welfare viewpoint definition?
The welfare of an animal is its state as regards to it’s attempts to cope with the environment. The state includes how much it is having to do to cope, the extent to which it is succeeding in or failing to cope, and it’s associated feelings.
What does Broom define as coping?
Having control of mental and bodily stability
Broom’s functioning definitions are based off of what?
A conceptualisation of welfare as a homeostatic approach
The animal is at a neutral state and the environmental challenges alter the animals state
The animal will then use/develop coping mechanisms to try and regain its neutral state
What did Broom believe would reflect the animals inability to adapt to a challenge?
The animal can’t cope
The animal needs to invest lots of energy to the coping mechanism
What did Broom later relate an animals coping ability to?
An animals fitness
What does Broom mean by fitness
The animals ability to pass on it’s genes to the next generation
If maintenance of bodily and mental stability was too hard or failed then what does Broom say will happen?
Then there would be an associated impairment in a biological function that can be measured
In functioning inadequate adaption compromises what?
Welfare
What are the 5 problems with functioning?
1) Welfare assessments are based on the understanding of biological mechanisms and there outcome, however there are some things we don’t understand about biological mechanisms.
2) Functioning methods assume that measures are a proxy for fitness which is hard to do
3) Functioning also assumes animal feelings are aligned
4) Functioning welfare evidence is gathered measuring marker associated with autonomic responses, however autonomic responses could be associated with both positive and negative situations instead of just one context
5) Functioning is a theory based around measuring alterations in the animals homeostasis however it’s hard to decide what degree of disturbance to the animals homeostasis is bad welfare.
What are the 2 measurements used in functioning to determine an animas welfare?
Changes in biological processes that underpin the adaption/coping mechanism
Outcomes of unsuccessful adaption
What are the 4 examples of the functioning measure “changes in biological processes that underpin the adaption/coping mechanism”?
Body repair systems
Immunological defence
Physiological stress responses
Behavioural responsees
What are the 3 examples of the functioning measure “outcomes of unsuccessful adaption”?
Reduced growth efficiency
Reduced reproduction
Poor health
Around what era did the feelings welfare viewpoint come about?
80s and 90s
How did Duncan and Petherick define the feelings viewpoint?
Animal welfare is dependent solely on the mental, psychological and cognitive needs of the animals concerned
Do physiological state matter to feelings researchers?
No
If an animal is in a bad physiological state they could still be in a good welfare state
Do feelings theorists believe that poor welfare can exist without poor health?
Yes as seen with some psychological conditions like anxiety and depression
What do feelings researchers argue that the physical state of an animal will be
Associated with how the animal feels
Or
Irrelevant
What do feelings researchers measure?
Only the animals emotional state
What do feelings researchers believe in terms of affective states?
Subjective affective states evolved to motivate behaviour in a more flexible way than stimulus: response situations
What are the 3 problems with feelings theory?
1) They ignore animal health as they believe that feelings and physical health are aligned
2) It’s limited by our understanding affective states
3) The ideology is limited by measurements of affective states/emotions.
There’s no well defined affective state and some emotions are debated to exist in some animals
What did Dawkins do?
She tried to join feelings and functioning theories together.
What does Dawkins define welfare as?
Are the animals healthy? Do they have what they want?
Does Dawkins believe we should measure consciousness?
No she believes we should look at the animals behaviour to rewarding and punishing experiences
How does Dawkins define affective states?
As what the animal finds rewarding or punishing
You’ll look for the animals want
Why does Dawkins recognise the importance of physical health?
Because animals will not always choose for their long term benefit
What are the 4 ways Dawkins believes we can test for the animals perception?
Preference tests
Motivation tests
Cognitive bias
Physiological measures
Who created the natural living welfare viewpoint?
The philosopher Bernard Rollins
Natural living focuses on understanding animals through their what?
Genetically encoded nature (there telos)
What does the natural living viewpoint mean by telos?
An ultimate object or aim
Basically all animals have an intrinsic nature that’s expressed in their actions and we should be looking at these actions when providing welfare
How does natural living see good welfare as?
Good welfare is seen as allowing the animals to express normal/natural behaviour
How does Rollin’s see animal welfare?
“to promote welfare of animals, we need to raise them in ways that respect their nature’s”
Does the natural living viewpoint believe you must provide a natural environment for the animals?
Some people would argue yes
Would the natural living approach include concerns on whether or not an animal is able to do something that would be considered natural?
Yes
Does a behaviour need to be linked to biological function, fitness, or mental state for natural living researchers to want it to be expressed?
No
In natural living philosophy telos requires what?
Meeting needs and interests that matter to the animal and affect its feelings by virtue of its biological and psychological nature
Some natural living researchers believe that expression of natural behaviour is key and what may be needed?
A natural environment
What are the 6 problems with the natural living philosophy?
1) Natural living ideologies of welfare are hard to define as it’s hard to define telos
2) Natural living assumes that full behavioural repertoires are necessary but does not take account for adaptions to different environments
Not all behaviours are necessary
3) Domestic animals have been artificially selected altering their genetics and so altering the animals genetically coded nature
4) Natural living ideologies does not take into account that natural environments may offer poor welfare
5) Some natural behaviours are designed to help animals cope with challenges which may indicate poor welfare in the environment
6) Natural living ideology does not provide rigorous basis for measuring welfare as this ideology is based on provision of a natural environment only
What’s a positive of natural living philosophy?
Natural living ideologies are better in terms of drawing attention to potential welfare benefits if the animals can engage in natural behaviour
Are welfare frameworks the same as concepts?
No
What are welfare frameworks useful for considering?
What we need to measure to be able to address particular welfare concepts comprehensively
Welfare frameworks are used to decide what to measure so you can get enough evidence to support your concept/theory
Name a classic example of a welfare framework?
The 5 freedoms
When was the 5 freedoms welfare framework created?
In 1965 after the Bramble Committee report on intensive farming
Who needs to follow the 5 freedoms welfare framework?
It’s a basic requirement for farmers
What are the 5 freedoms in the welfare framework?
1) freedom from thirst and hunger
2) freedom from discomfort
3) freedom from pain, injury and disease
4) freedom from fear and distress
5) freedom to express normal behaviour
The 5 freedoms welfare framework was originally to be as free as possible from the freedoms but what is it now?
Completely free from the 5 freedoms
What are 2 negatives of the 5 freedoms welfare framework?
It’s impossible to completely prevent the 5 freedoms.
Examples are animals naturally get hungry and can injure themselves
The 5 freedoms only focus on preventing negative experiences and don’t ensure positive experiences
What do welfare frameworks do?
They indicate what we need to aim for and consider to avoid poor welfare
They can sometimes promote good welfare and so can be useful for monitoring
What do welfare frameworks do?
They indicate what we need to aim for and consider to avoid poor welfare
They can sometimes promote good welfare and so can be useful for monitoring
In 2006 what happened to the 5 freedoms welfare framework?
It was modified under the UK Animal Welfare Act to the 5 needs. This made the 5 needs enforceable by law.
What are the 5 Needs under the UK Animal Welfare Act 2006?
1) the animal has a suitable environment to live in
2) the animal has a healthy diet
3) the animal is able to exhibit normal behaviour
4) the animal has appropriate company
5) the animal is to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease
What are the 2 negatives to the 5 needs?
The 5 needs only focus on negative experiences like the 5 freedoms so don’t encourage positive experiences
The 5 needs are only as good as the state of current knowledge
Who created the Welfare Quality Principles welfare framework?
The Welfare Quality Project
How did the Welfare Quality Project create the Welfare Quality Principles?
They generated welfare assessments protocols across a range of species
What are the 4 Welfare Quality Principles?
1) Good feeding
2) Good housing
3) Good health
4) Appropriate behaviour
What are the 2 criteria for the “good feeding” Welfare Quality Principles?
1) Absence of prolonged hunger
2) Absence of prolonged thirst
What are the 3 criteria for the “good housing” Welfare Quality Principles?
1) Comfort around resting
2) Thermal comfort
3) Ease of movement
What are the 3 criteria for the “good health” Welfare Quality Principles?
1) Absence of injury
2) Absence of disease
3) Absence of pain induced by management procedures
What are the 4 criteria for the “appropriate behaviour” Welfare Quality Principles?
1) Expression of social behaviours
2) Expression of other behaviours
3) Good human-animal relationships
4) Positive emotional states
In 2016 Mellor created what?
The 5 domains
What are Mellor’s 5 domains based off of?
The 5 freedoms
How did Mellor adapt the 5 freedoms into the 5 domains?
Mellor expanded on the 5 freedoms making them prescriptive about what they should include
What are the 2 main domains Mellor split the 5 domains into?
1) Physical/Functional Domain
2) Affective Experience Domain
What are the 2 types of factors Mellor’s Physical/Functional Domain is split into?
1) Survival-Related Factors
2) Situation-Related Factors
Name the 3 domains that fit under Mellor’s Survival-Related Factors?
1) Nutrition
2) Environment
3) Health
How is positive Nutrition met according to Mellor’s 5 domains?
Enough water and food
Balanced and varied diet
How is negative Nutrition met according to Mellor’s 5 domains?
Restricted water and food
Poor quality food
How are positive Environments met according to Mellor’s 5 domains?
Physical environment comfortable and pleasant
How are negative Environments met according to Mellor’s 5 domains?
Uncomfortable or unpleasant features of the physical environments
How is positive Health met according to Mellor’s 5 domains?
Healthy, fit and/or uninjured animals
How is negative Health met according to Mellor’s 5 domains?
Disease, injury and/or functional impairment of the animal
Which of Mellor’s 5 domains fits under Situation-Related Factors?
Behaviour
How is positive Behaviour met according to Mellor’s 5 domains?
Able to express rewarding behaviours
How is negative Behaviour met according to Mellor’s 5 domains?
Behavioural expression restricted
Which of Mellor’s 5 domains fits under their Affective Experience Domain?
Mental state
How is positive Mental State met according to Mellor’s 5 domains?
Drinking pleasures Taste pleasures Chewing pleasures Satiety Physical comfort Vigour of good Health and fitness Rewards Goal-directed Engagement Calmness/in control Affectionate sociability Maternally rewarded Excited playfulness Sexually gratified
How is negative Mental State met according to Mellor’s 5 domains?
Thirst Hunger Malnutrition malaise Chilling Overheating Hearing discomfort Breathlessness Pain Debility/weakness Nausea, sickness Dizziness Anger/frustration Boredom Helplessness Loneliness Depression Anxiety Fearfulness Panic Exhaustion
What are Mellor’s 5 domains?
1) Nutrition
2) Environment
3) Health
4) Behaviour
5) Mental State
Are physical States seen as the base of Mellor’s 5 domains welfare framework?
Yes followed by behavioural states
Which of Mellor’s 5 domains overarched the other domains and why?
Mental state
The other domains alter and affect the animals mental state
Is Quality of Life a welfare framework?
No it’s a welfare concept
Does the quality of life concept tell us what to measure?
No
What does quality of life conceptually say?
It’s not good enough to prevent negative experiences, we need to promote positive experiences for the animals as well
Quality of life also introduced what concept?
Animals in different sectors need different quality of life
Examples are pets Vs farm animals
What is Wathes definition of the quality of life concept in 2010?
To ensure quality of life, animals must have a life worth living and should have a good life
What are the 2 arguments quality of life puts forth?
Prevention of negative states is not enough
That we may need to accept different degrees of welfare for different animals
How has the World Health Organisation defined Human quality of life?
Individuals perception of their positions in life in the context of culture and the value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns
How did Belshaw et Al define quality of life for animals?
An individual’s satisfaction with its physical and psychological health, it’s physical and social environment and its ability to interact with that environment
What did Belshaw et al 2015 mean by “an individual’s satisfaction”?
The fulfillment of one’s individual needs or positive mood or valence derived from this
What did Belshaw et al 2015 mean by “physical and psychological health”?
The state of being free from illness or injury
Why is it hard to measure quality of life for the animals entire life?
It focuses on the individual experiences of that animal
How do you measure quality of life?
By, very carefully, describing and making assumptions about how those things relate together
Is being dead a welfare issue?
No but it can be a ethical/moral issue
What part of death is important in a welfare perspective?
The manner of death
Why is death important for people following the function welfare definition?
Death has implications for an animals ultimate fitness
What does Yeats’s 2010 paper argue
Death may be a welfare issue based on the removal of the capacity for future good quality of life
Why is death important in a function perspective?
Death is the ultimate fitness failure and so death is a welfare issue
How have philosophers argued death as a welfare point?
You lose the potential of future good quality of life
What is the argument that philosophers need to make to defend their viewpoints on welfare and death?
You need to also believe that the animal is aware of the future good quality of life it will lose while alive before death
In practice what concepts are used to assess the animals welfare as comprehensively as possible?
Functioning
Feelings
Natural living
Quality of life
What is used to assess the concepts correctly?
Welfare indicators
What is a definition of a welfare indicator?
Any measurable external resource or aspect of an animals biology, that we hypothesize to signify different animal welfare states
What do you need to ensure when using a welfare indicator?
That it’s valid
