Use of animals in psychological research

The Use of Animals in Psychological Research

Welcome! In this chapter, we are exploring one of the most debated topics in psychology: the use of animals in research. Sometimes, psychologists want to understand behaviors or biological processes that would be impossible or unethical to study in humans. However, because animals are living beings that can feel pain, there are very strict rules about how they must be treated.

This chapter is part of the AS Level issues and debates section. It focuses on the ethical guidelines researchers must follow and the balance between gaining knowledge and protecting animal welfare.

Why Do We Use Animals?

Before we look at the rules, you might wonder why we use animals at all. Here are a few reasons:

1. Biological Similarity: Many animals, like monkeys or rats, have biological systems similar to humans. For example, Hassett et al. (2008) studied Rhesus monkeys because their hormonal systems are similar to ours.
2. Better Control: Researchers can control an animal's environment, diet, and experiences much more easily than a human's.
3. Lifespan: Animals often have shorter lifespans, allowing researchers to see how behavior changes from birth to old age in a shorter amount of time.

Quick Note: While we learn a lot from animals, we must always ask: "Can we really generalise these findings to humans?" Just because a monkey likes a certain toy doesn't mean a human child will for the exact same reason!

The Ethical Guidelines for Animals

When psychologists work with animals, they don't just do whatever they want. They must follow specific guidelines to ensure the animals are treated humanely. Here are the key terms you need to know for your exam:

1. Replacement

Researchers should always consider if they can achieve their goals without using animals. Could they use a computer model? Could they observe humans instead? If a non-animal alternative exists, they should use it.

2. Species

Researchers must choose the species that is least likely to suffer. They should also consider whether that species’ biology or behavior is actually suited to the research. For example, if you are studying social behavior, it makes sense to use a social animal rather than a solitary one.

3. Numbers

The goal is to use the minimum number of animals necessary to produce reliable results. If a study uses too many animals, it is wasteful and unethical. If it uses too few, the results might not be reliable, making the animals' contribution pointless. Researchers often use the formula \( n = \text{smallest group size} \) to ensure they aren't over-using participants.

4. Procedures (Pain, Suffering, and Distress)

Any procedure that might cause pain, suffering, or distress must be carefully managed. Researchers should use anesthesia or painkillers if necessary. The goal is to minimise harm at every stage of the experiment.

5. Housing

Animals should be kept in cages or environments that meet their specific needs. This includes enough space, the right temperature, and access to food and water. For social species, housing them alone can cause distress, so they should usually be kept with "friends" unless the experiment requires otherwise.

6. Reward, Deprivation, and Aversive Stimuli

To get animals to behave in a certain way, researchers sometimes use:
• Rewards: Giving a treat for a "correct" behavior (used in Fagen et al. with elephants).
• Deprivation: Withholding food or water for a short time so the animal is motivated to work for it. This must be done very carefully so the animal doesn't get sick.
• Aversive Stimuli: Using something unpleasant (like a loud noise) to discourage a behavior. This is generally avoided unless absolutely necessary because it causes distress.

Key Takeaway: The main goal of animal ethics is minimising harm while maximising the benefit of the research findings.

Core Studies Using Animals

In your 9990 syllabus, two core studies are excellent examples of animal research. You should refer to these in your exam answers:

Hassett et al. (2008) — Monkey Toy Preferences

This study looked at whether male and female Rhesus monkeys preferred "gender-typed" toys (like trucks vs. dolls).
• Ethics: The monkeys lived in a large outdoor enclosure (good housing) and were not harmed during the observations.
• Findings: Male monkeys preferred wheeled toys, while females were more flexible. This suggests a biological link to toy choice.

Fagen et al. (2014) — Elephant Learning

This study investigated how to train young elephants using operant conditioning.
• Ethics: The researchers used positive reinforcement (rewards like bananas) rather than aversive stimuli (like bullhooks). This is a great example of minimising harm.
• Findings: All elephants successfully learned the required behaviors (like presenting a trunk or ear) through shaping and secondary reinforcement.

Evaluating the Use of Animals

When you are asked to evaluate this issue in Paper 1 or Paper 2, think about these two sides:

Arguments FOR using animals (Strengths):
• We can conduct research that would be unethical to do on humans (e.g., investigating brain changes).
• High levels of control over extraneous variables lead to higher internal validity.
• Findings can lead to life-saving treatments or better conservation efforts (like helping elephants in Fagen et al.).

Arguments AGAINST using animals (Weaknesses):
• Generalisability: Animals are not humans. Their brains and social structures are different, so the results may not apply to us.
• Ethics: Animals cannot give informed consent or exercise their right to withdraw.
• Anthropomorphism: This is a fancy word for when researchers project human emotions onto animals. We might think an animal is happy or sad, but we can't know for sure, which can lead to subjective results.

Quick Review: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Saying animals have the same rights as humans.
Correction: In psychology, we don't say they have "rights" in the legal sense; instead, we say researchers have a moral obligation to follow ethical guidelines.

Mistake 2: Forgetting to mention "Replacement."
Correction: Always remember that the first step in animal ethics is asking if you even need an animal in the first place!

Mistake 3: Confusing "Reliability" with "Ethics."
Correction: Using a large number of animals makes the study more reliable (consistent), but using too many is unethical. You have to find the "sweet spot."

Summary Table for Revision

Replacement: Can we use something else?
Species: Use the best fit with the least suffering.
Numbers: Use the minimum required for \( p < 0.05 \) (statistical significance).
Housing: Meet the animal's physical and social needs.
Procedures: Minimise pain and distress.

Don't worry if the ethical guidelines seem like a lot to memorize! Just remember the "3 Rs" often used in science: Replace, Reduce (Numbers), and Refine (Procedures). Even though the syllabus lists them slightly differently, this mnemonic will help you keep the core ideas in mind.