There are many pieces of research that have used animals within psychology - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 12 - 2017 - Paper 1

Ethical Concerns: One of the foremost issues is the ethical treatment of animals. Researchers must consider the welfare of the animals involved in experiments. The use of animals raises significant ethical questions, particularly concerning their right to live free from distress and suffering. Regulations such as the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) are fundamental to ensuring that animal welfare is prioritized.

Generalizability of Results: Another practical concern is the generalizability of findings from animal studies to humans. Animals may react differently to stimuli compared to humans due to physiological and psychological differences. This makes it challenging to apply conclusions drawn from animal research to human behavior, which can limit the practical applications of such studies.

Controlled Environments: Research involving animals often occurs in highly controlled environments. While this allows for the manipulation of variables, it can also restrict the understanding of how behaviors manifest in natural settings. The artificial context may hinder the applicability of results to real-world scenarios, thereby affecting the external validity of the research.

Cost and Resources: Conducting research with animals can be significantly more costly and resource-intensive than studies involving human participants. This includes expenses related to breeding, housing, and care of animals, as well as compliance with regulatory standards. Such costs can limit the scope and number of studies that can be feasibly conducted.