Why is the use of non-human animals in psychology controversial?

Animals cannot consent, cannot be debriefed and cannot withdraw, yet they can be subjected to procedures that would never be permitted with humans, so the practice sets scientific gain directly against the welfare of a being that has no say.

Give four practical reasons psychologists have offered for studying animals rather than humans.

Their breeding, diet and environment can be controlled far more tightly, their short lifespans allow effects across generations to be studied, procedures such as lesioning and selective breeding are possible, and some species are simpler systems in which a mechanism can be isolated.

What did Harlow (1958) show with infant rhesus monkeys, and at what cost?

Infants separated from their mothers spent most of their time clinging to a cloth-covered surrogate rather than the wire one that provided food, showing that contact comfort matters more than feeding; the monkeys suffered severe and lasting social disturbance.

Eduqas A-Level Psychology A290QS

Biological Approach

Topic overview Assumptions and evaluation of the approach: Evolutionary influences and Localisation of brain function Assumptions and evaluation of the approach: Neurotransmitters and Weaknesses of the approach Therapy derived from the approach: Drug therapy Therapy derived from the approach: Psychosurgery Classic research: the methodology and procedures Classic research: the findings, conclusions and evaluation Contemporary debate

Psychodynamic Approach

Topic overview Assumptions and evaluation of the approach: Influence of childhood experiences and Unconscious mind Assumptions and evaluation of the approach: Tripartite personality and Weaknesses of the approach Therapy derived from the approach: Dream analysis Therapy derived from the approach: Psychodrama Classic research: Methodology and Procedures Classic research: Findings and Conclusions Classic research: Ethical issues and social implications Contemporary debate: the mother as primary care-giver — the arguments Contemporary debate: the mother as primary care-giver — the evidence and conclusion

Behaviourist Approach

Topic overview Assumptions and evaluation of the approach: Blank slate and Behaviour learnt through conditioning Assumptions and evaluation of the approach: Humans and animals learn in similar ways Therapy derived from the approach: Aversion therapy Therapy derived from the approach: Systematic desensitisation Classic research: Methodology and Procedures Classic research: Findings and Conclusions Classic research: Ethical issues and social implications Contemporary debate: using conditioning to control children — the arguments Contemporary debate: using conditioning to control children — the evidence and conclusion

Cognitive Approach

Topic overview Assumptions and evaluation of the approach: Computer analogy, Internal mental processes and Schemas Assumptions and evaluation of the approach: Strengths of the approach and Weaknesses of the approach Therapy derived from the approach: Cognitive behavioural therapy Therapy derived from the approach: Rational emotive behaviour therapy Classic research: Methodology and Procedures Classic research: Findings and Conclusions Classic research: Ethical issues and social implications Contemporary debate: the reliability of eye-witness testimony — the arguments Contemporary debate: the reliability of eye-witness testimony — the evidence and conclusion

Positive Approach

Topic overview Assumptions and evaluation of the approach: Acknowledgement of free will and Focus on 'the good life'Assumptions and evaluation of the approach: Strengths of the approach and Weaknesses of the approach Therapy derived from the approach: Mindfulness Therapy derived from the approach: Quality of life therapy Classic research: Methodology and Procedures Classic research: Findings and Conclusions Classic research: Ethical issues and social implications Contemporary debate: the relevance of positive psychology today — the arguments Contemporary debate: the relevance of positive psychology today — the evidence and conclusion

Comparing the Five Approaches

Topic overview Comparison of the five approaches: Similarities between the approaches Comparison of the five approaches: Nature-nurture debate, Reductionism and holism

Core Studies in Social and Developmental Psychology

Topic overview Social psychology core study: Milgram (1963) — Method and procedure, Results Social psychology core study: Milgram (1963) — Conclusions and Evaluation of the study Developmental psychology core study: Kohlberg (1968) — Method and procedure, Results Developmental psychology core study: Kohlberg (1968) — Conclusions and Evaluation of the study

Planning Psychological Research

Topic overview Deciding on a research question: Aim of the research and Independent variables Deciding on a research question: Co-variables, Operationalisation of variables and Extraneous variables Methodologies: Experiments, Participant observations and Non-participant observations Methodologies: Content analysis, Structured interviews / questionnaires and Correlational studies Methodologies: Case studies, Cross-sectional studies and Self-reports Location of research Participants and sampling: Target populations, Sampling frames and Opportunity sampling Participants and sampling: Systematic sampling, Stratified sampling and Quota sampling Participants and sampling: Self-selected sampling Experimental design

Data Handling, Statistics and Mathematical Skills

Topic overview Levels of measurement Graphical representation: Frequency tables and Graphical representation (including line graphs Graphical representation: Distribution curves (including normal, positive and negative skewed Descriptive statistics: Measures of central tendency Descriptive statistics: Measures of dispersion and Calculating from a set of results Inferential statistics: Chi Square test Inferential statistics: Mann Whitney U test and Critical values from tables Mathematical requirements (Appendix A): Standard form and unit conversion Mathematical requirements (Appendix A): Calculations for statistical tests

Evaluating and Validating Research

Topic overview Reliability Validity: Internal validity, External validity and Specific validity issues (including researcher bias Validity: Ways of dealing with issues of validity Ethics: Confidentiality and Risk to the participants’ values Ethics: Valid consent and Managing the risk posed by ethical issues (including the use of ethics The role of the scientific community: Peer review and its purposes, Criticisms of peer review The role of the scientific community: Sections of a psychological report

Personal Investigations and Novel Research Scenarios

Topic overview Personal investigations: applying — Hypotheses and variables, Methodology and experimental design Personal investigations: applying research methods to first-hand investigations — Sampling Personal investigations: applying research methods to first-hand investigations — Inferential statistics Application of research methods to a novel scenario

Addictive BehavioursAddictive

Topic overview Characteristics of the behaviour: What the behaviour is, How it is recognised and diagnosed Characteristics of the behaviour: How common it is, Effects on the individual and on society Biological explanations: Addiction genes and Disease of the brain Biological explanations: Dopamine Individual differences explanations: Cognitive biases and Field dependence Individual differences explanations: Lang's addictive personality traits Social psychological explanations: Co-morbidity with mental and Peer pressure Social psychological explanations: Role of the media Methods of modifying the behaviour: Agonist and antagonist substitution Methods of modifying the behaviour: Aversion therapy

Autistic Spectrum BehavioursAutistic spectrum

Topic overview Characteristics of the behaviour: What the behaviour is, How it is recognised and diagnosed Characteristics of the behaviour: How common it is, Effects on the individual and on society Biological explanations: Amygdala dysfunction and Chloride ions at birth Biological explanations: Genetic predisposition Individual differences explanations: Gender differences and Theory of mind Individual differences explanations: Weak central coherence theory Extreme male brain and empathising-systemising theories The refrigerator mother theory, and evaluation Methods of modifying the behaviour: Picture Exchange Communication System Methods of modifying the behaviour: Relationship Development Intervention Methods of modifying the behaviour

Bullying BehavioursBullying

Topic overview Characteristics of the behaviour: What the behaviour is, How it is recognised and diagnosed Characteristics of the behaviour: How common it is, Effects on the individual and on society Biological explanations: Bullying genes and Evolved gender differences Biological explanations: Hormones Individual differences explanations: Cognitive biases and Narcissistic personality Individual differences explanations: Threatened egotism, narcissism and theory of mind Social psychological explanations: Cultural differences and In-group / out-group Social psychological explanations: Moral disengagement Methods of modifying the behaviour: Creating A Peaceful School Learning Environment Methods of modifying the behaviour: Olweus Bullying Prevention Programme Methods of modifying the behaviour

Criminal BehavioursCriminal

Topic overview Characteristics of the behaviour: What the behaviour is Characteristics of the behaviour: How it is recognised and diagnosed Biological explanations: Disinhibition hypothesis and Inherited criminality personality theory Biological explanations: Role of the amygdala Individual differences explanations: Eysenck's criminal personality Individual differences explanations: Intelligence factors and Psychopathic personality Social psychological explanations: Differential association Social psychological explanations: Gender socialisation and Normalisation theory Methods of modifying the behaviour: Anger management Methods of modifying the behaviour: Restorative justice

SchizophreniaSchizophrenia

Topic overview Characteristics of the behaviour: What the behaviour is, How it is recognised and diagnosed Characteristics of the behaviour: How common it is, Effects on the individual and on society Biological explanations: Dopamine hypothesis and Enlarged ventricles Biological explanations: Cannabis, genetics and the diathesis-stress model Individual differences explanations: Thought disorder Individual differences explanations: Schizophrenogenic mother and Sex differences Social psychological explanations: Cultural norms Social psychological explanations: Dysfunctional families Social psychological explanations: Expressed emotion Methods of modifying the behaviour: Antipsychotic drugs Methods of modifying the behaviour: Cognitive behavioral therapy

StressStress

Topic overview Characteristics of the behaviour: What the behaviour is, How it is recognised and diagnosed Characteristics of the behaviour: How common it is, Effects on the individual and on society Biological explanations: Adrenaline and Evolutionary adaptation Biological explanations: Stress genes Individual differences explanations: Type A behaviour and hardiness Individual differences explanations: Self-efficacy Social psychological explanations: Daily hassles and Life events Social psychological explanations: Locus of control and control at work Methods of modifying the behaviour: Beta blockers Methods of modifying the behaviour: Stress inoculation training

Controversies in Psychology

Topic overview Cultural bias: Cross cultural studies and Difference or bias Cultural bias: Ethnocentrism, Historical and social context Ethical costs of conducting research: Benefits to society and the economy, Individual participants Ethical costs of conducting research: Potentially negative consequences for society The use of non-human animals: Why animals are used, comparative psychology and ethology The use of non-human animals: Therapy, speciesism and the BPS Guidelines Scientific status of psychology: Features of science, Popper and Kuhn Scientific status of psychology: Methods, benefits and costs of being a science Sexism: Gender difference or gender bias Sexism: Heterosexism, Historical and social context, 'invisibility' of women in psychology

Controversies in Psychology

The use of non-human animals: Why animals are used, comparative psychology and ethology

3 things to know
Component 3 Controversies

Overview

Why psychologists study non-human animals, landmark studies by Olds and Milner and by Harlow, comparative psychology and ethology, Lorenz's imprinting, Tinbergen's four questions, and the problem of anthropomorphism.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is comparative psychology?

Key term

Which behaviourist assumption underpins the use of animals to explain human behaviour, and name two human therapies that rest on it.

Who and when

What did Olds and Milner (1954) find, and why does it matter for the study of addiction?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
Why is the use of non-human animals in psychology controversial?
Model answer
Animals cannot consent, cannot be debriefed and cannot withdraw, yet they can be subjected to procedures that would never be permitted with humans, so the practice sets scientific gain directly against the welfare of a being that has no say.
2
Give four practical reasons psychologists have offered for studying animals rather than humans.
Model answer
Their breeding, diet and environment can be controlled far more tightly, their short lifespans allow effects across generations to be studied, procedures such as lesioning and selective breeding are possible, and some species are simpler systems in which a mechanism can be isolated.
3
Which behaviourist assumption underpins the use of animals to explain human behaviour, and name two human therapies that rest on it.
Model answer
The assumption that humans and animals learn in the same ways, so conditioning principles established in one species apply to the other; systematic desensitisation and aversion therapy both derive from classical conditioning work carried out with animals.
4
What did Olds and Milner (1954) find, and why does it matter for the study of addiction?
Model answer
Rats would press a lever repeatedly to deliver electrical stimulation to particular brain regions, which identified reward pathways later central to explanations of addiction in terms of dopamine.
5
What did Harlow (1958) show with infant rhesus monkeys, and at what cost?
Model answer
Infants separated from their mothers spent most of their time clinging to a cloth-covered surrogate rather than the wire one that provided food, showing that contact comfort matters more than feeding; the monkeys suffered severe and lasting social disturbance.
6
What is comparative psychology?
Model answer
The study and comparison of behaviour across species, usually under controlled laboratory conditions, often with the aim of drawing inferences about the origins of human behaviour.

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