A2 AQA Issues Animalsforagainst

The use of animals
Constraints on the use of animals Arguments for and against their use in psychological research
Practical Moral & ethical
www.psychlotron.org.uk
The use of animals

Many pitfalls for the unwary:
Unsubstantiated assertion e.g. animals feel as much pain as humans Nave assumptions e.g. animal researchers do it because theyre evil and they enjoy it Irrelevance e.g. writing about medical, surgical or cosmetic research, not psychological investigations
The use of animals

Many examples are possible, from many different areas e.g.:
Developmental (maternal deprivation) Physiological (stress, sleep) Abnormal (drug treatments)
Try to select a variety to show synopticity
Constraints on use
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act
Licensing & inspection Constraints on numbers & species Requirements for suitable facilities Competence & qualification requirements
Constraints on use
BPS guidelines on animal research
Specific application to psychology Requirement for humane treatment Requirement to consider alternatives Cost benefit analysis
Arguments for
Practical arguments (is it useful?)
Continuity Convenience Usefulness
Ethical arguments (is it moral?)

Utilitarianism Duty to species
Continuity
We share common ancestry with other animals (Darwin, 1859)
Basic similarities in physiological structure & functioning Behavioural similarities with some species (e.g. primates) Animal research therefore gives valid information about human processes
Convenience
Animals can be used in ways humans cant
Short lifespans & breeding cycles enable inheritance to be studied Behaviour can be controlled and monitored in ways impossible with people Less reactivity
Usefulness
Animal research is demonstrably useful to psychologists
Knowledge of nervous system structure & functioning Understanding of stress, abnormal behaviour, sleep Our understanding of human behaviour would be very limited if not for animal research
Ethical arguments
Utilitarian
The suffering of a small number of animals is justified because it helps a large number of people
Moral duty
We have a moral obligation to our own species to advance knowledge and reduce suffering. Animal research is justified if it furthers this (Gray, 1991)
Other points
The constraints on the use of animals protect animals sufficiently and prevent unnecessary suffering This is shown by:
Reduction in number and range of animals used in labs Increase in non-invasive & field-based studies
Arguments against
Counterarguments to those presented in favour of animal research
Discontinuity or continuity? Ecological validity Generalisability Moral arguments
Discontinuity or continuity?
Points out an inconsistency in continuity argument
If other animals are so similar to us they should be afforded the same ethical considerations as us Or, if they are so different from us, then generalisation is of questionable value
Ecological validity
Questions the value of the data obtained from animal studies
Lab based animal studies produce unnatural behaviour (e.g. drug addiction studies) Field studies disturb the environment & consequently, behaviour
Generalisability
Suggests that even when data are valid, they cant be applied to humans
Differences in human and animal evolution & genes Structural differences in nervous system (e.g. cerebral cortex) Influence of language, culture, higher cognitive processes
Moral arguments
Utilitarianism gives human suffering priority over animal suffering this is a form of discrimination (speciesism; Singer, 1975) Animals have rights as people do. We have a moral obligation to protect them. No amount of regulation can justify animal research
Other points
Safeguards are difficult to enforce; abuses may be undetected Cost benefit analyses as required by guidelines easily skewed in favour of research The fact that you never know in advance the outcome of research means that some will always be useless
Conclusions
These are up to you, but make sure you
Look at both sides Present a balanced argument Use suitable examples to support your claims

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The use of animals

The use of animals

The use of animals

Try to select a variety to show synopticity

Ethical arguments (is it moral?)

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