Research in

Biopsychology
Session III
Prepared by: Anne Christine S. Torres, RPm, M.A. Cand.
Types of Research in Biopsychology
Human Subjects - research or clinical investigations that involve human
subjects.
Non-human Subjects - research or clinical investigations that involve
animal subjects. (comparative approach)

Experiment - is the method used by scientists to study causation, that is,

to find out what causes what. (between-subjects design vs. within-
subjects design)
Non-experiment - studies groups of subjects who have been exposed to
the conditions of interest in the real world. (quasiexperimental studies
and case studies)

Pure Research - is motivated primarily by the curiosity of the researcher;

it is done solely for the purpose of acquiring knowledge.
Applied Research - is intended to bring about some direct benefit to
humankind.
Fields of Specialization – Research Fields
Neuroscientist Studies the anatomy, biochemistry,
or physiology of the nervous system.
Behavioral Investigates how functioning of the
Neuroscientist brain and other organs influences
behavior.
Cognitive Uses brain research, such as scans of
Neuroscientist brain anatomy or activity, to analyze
and explore people’s knowledge,
thinking, and problem solving.

Psychophysiologist Measures heart rate, breathing rate,

brain waves, and other body
processes and how they vary from
one person to another or one
situation to another.
Fields of Specialization – Research Fields
Neurochemist Investigates the chemical reactions in
the brain.
Comparative Compares the behaviors of different
Psychologist species and tries to relate them to
their ways of life.
Evolutionary Relates behaviors, especially social
Psychologist behaviors, including those of
humans, to the functions they have
served and, therefore, the presumed
selective pressures that caused them
to evolve.
Fields of Specialization – Practitioner Fields of Psychology
Clinical Employed by hospital, clinic, private
Psychologist practice, or college; helps people
with emotional problems.
Counseling Compares the behaviors of different
Psychologist species and tries to relate them to
their ways of life.
School Psychologist Most are employed by a school
system. Identifies educational needs
of schoolchildren, devises a plan to
meet the needs, and then helps
teachers implement it.
Fields of Specialization – Medical Fields
Neurologist Treats people with brain damage or
diseases of the brain.
Neurosurgeon Performs brain surgery.
Psychiatrist Helps people with emotional distress
or troublesome behaviors,
sometimes using drugs or other
medical procedures.
Fields of Specialization – Allied Medical Fields
Physical Provides exercise and other
Therapist treatments to help people with
muscle or nerve problems, pain, or
anything else that impairs
movement.

Occupational Helps people improve their ability to

Therapist perform functions of daily life, for
example, after a stroke.
Social Worker Helps people deal with personal and
family problems. The activities of a
social worker overlap those of a
clinical psychologist.
The Use of Animals in Research
 4 Reasons in Studying Nonhumans

1. The underlying mechanisms of

behavior are similar across
species and sometimes easier to
study nonhuman species.

2. We are interested in animals for

their own sake.

3. What we learn about animals

sheds light on human evolution.

4. Legal or ethical restrictions

prevent certain kinds of
research on humans.
Degrees of Opposition in Animal Research

Minimalists Abolitionists
In favor of some Want all research
regulations and on animals to stop.
place
considerations Maintain that all
depending on the animals have the
value of research. same rights as
humans and any
Three Rs in legal use of animals in
standards for research is
animal research: considered
reduction, unethical.
replacement, and
refinement.
APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
8. Research and Publication
8.09. Humane Care and Use of Animals in Research

(a) Psychologists acquire, care for, use, and dispose of animals in

compliance with current federal, state, and local laws and
regulations, and with professional standards.

(b) Psychologists trained in research methods and experienced in

the care of laboratory animals supervise all procedures involving
animals and are responsible for ensuring appropriate consideration
of their comfort, health, and humane treatment.

(c) Psychologists ensure that all individuals under their supervision

who are using animals have received instruction in research
methods and in the care, maintenance, and handling of the species
being used, to the extent appropriate to their role. (See also
Standard 2.05, Delegation of Work to Others.)
APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
8. Research and Publication
8.09. Humane Care and Use of Animals in Research

(d) Psychologists make reasonable efforts to minimize the

discomfort, infection, illness and pain of animal subjects.

(e) Psychologists use a procedure subjecting animals to pain, stress,

or privation only when an alternative procedure is unavailable and
the goal is justified by its prospective scientific, educational, or
applied value.

(f) Psychologists perform surgical procedures under appropriate

anesthesia and follow techniques to avoid infection and minimize
pain during and after surgery.

(g) When it is appropriate that an animal’s life be terminated,

psychologists proceed rapidly, with an effort to minimize pain and in
accordance with accepted procedures.
PAP’s Code of Ethics for Philippine Psychologists
X. Research
J. Humane Care and Use of Animals in Research

1. Psychology practitioners do not use animals in research, except

when there is a sufficient reason to say that it is the only way to:
a. further increase understanding of the structures and processes
underlying human or animal behavior;
b. increase understanding of the specific specie used in the
study; or
c. eventually augment benefits to the health and welfare
of humans or other animals.

2. Psychology practitioners comply with current laws, regulations

and professional standards when we acquire, care for, use, and
dispose animals used in research.
PAP’s Code of Ethics for Philippine Psychologists
X. Research
J. Humane Care and Use of Animals in Research

3. Psychology practitioners shall take reasonable steps to ensure

that animals used in research are treated humanely and are not
exposed to unnecessary discomfort, pain, or disruption. If
possible, a psychologist trained in research methods and
experience in care of laboratory animals shall supervise all
procedures in researches of this kind.

4. Psychology practitioners shall make sure that all individuals

under our supervision have received clear instructions and
guidelines in research methods and in care, maintenance, and
handling of animals or specific species being used, to the extent
that is appropriate to their role.
PAP’s Code of Ethics for Philippine Psychologists
X. Research
J. Humane Care and Use of Animals in Research

5. Psychology practitioners shall refrain from causing pain,

stress, and privation to animals only when:
a. an alternative procedure is unavailable;
b. the goal is justified by its prospective scientific,
educational, or applied value; and,
c. we make reasonable efforts to minimize the
discomfort, infection, illness, and pain of animal subjects.
PAP’s Code of Ethics for Philippine Psychologists
X. Research
J. Humane Care and Use of Animals in Research

6. Psychology practitioners shall make reasonable efforts to

minimize discomfort, infection, illness, and pain of animal
subjects.

7. Psychology practitioners shall perform surgical procedures with

appropriate anesthesia and we follow techniques to avoid
infection and minimize the pain during and after surgery.

8. Only when it is appropriate, that an animal’s life be

terminated. Psychology practitioners shall proceed rapidly with
an effort to minimize pain and in accordance with accepted
procedures.
Quiz #1: Position Paper
Write a position paper regarding your stand on animal research.

Guide:
• Emphasize the ethical, legal, and your moral considerations.
• Explain its advantages and disadvantages.
• Discuss the current practices and attitudes of psychology
practictioners in the 21st century and compare them to the
researchers who used nonhuman participants in the past.

Note: Times New Roman, 12, Letter. File Name:

2PSY01_Quiz1_Torres (Deadline: Sept. 21, Wednesday).
References:

Pinel, J. (2014). Introduction to Biopsycholgy. 9th Edition. Pearson

Education. US.

Gazzaniga, M. (2019) Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind, 5th

Edition. W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.. New York.
Thank you!

Questions?
Anne Christine Torres, RPm, MA Cln Psy (Cand.)
annechristine.torres@g.batstate-u.edu.ph