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Animals are sometimes used to conduct psychological research - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 6 - 2018 - Paper 3
Question 6
Animals are sometimes used to conduct psychological research. Assess the practical and ethical implications of using animals in psychological research.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Animals are sometimes used to conduct psychological research - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 6 - 2018 - Paper 3
Step 1
Assess the practical implications of using animals in psychological research.
Answer
The practical implications involve various considerations, including compliance with regulations such as the Scientific Procedures Act (1986) and guidelines from the Home Office, which dictate that the number of animals used in research should be minimized.
Research may yield significant benefits compared to its costs. For instance, the work of Pavlov (1927) demonstrated how dogs can be trained to show conditioned responses. Likewise, Beeman's (1947) study indicated that castration influences aggression levels in rodents, offering vital insights for both animal and human health.
Additionally, using animal models allows for controlled experimentation, where variables like temperature and lighting can be precisely manipulated, leading to more reliable results. Furthermore, studies on animals can help avoid ethical concerns when human experimentation would be unethical or impractical, such as in medical research for conditions difficult to recreate in humans.
Step 2
Assess the ethical implications of using animals in psychological research.
Answer
The ethical implications are profound, particularly regarding the treatment of animals in research. One significant concern involves the potential harm or distress inflicted upon animal subjects. Ryder's concept of 'speciesism' raises questions about the morality of treating animals differently than humans, especially if the research involves invasive procedures, as seen in some historical studies on primates, which violated ethical guidelines.
Furthermore, researchers must weigh the benefits of their work against the ethical costs. For instance, invasive experiments like those conducted by Pavlov (1927) could be considered unjustifiable if they cause unnecessary suffering. As researchers strive for scientific progress, maintaining a strong ethical stance ensures both scientific integrity and humane treatment of animal subjects.