Use of non-human animals

• What is comparative psychology?

  Study of non-human animals often with intention of making comparisons with humans. E.g, Harlow (1959). Monkeys developed into emotionally maladjusted adults. Research had important influence on understanding infant emotional development- recognition that feeding alone isn't basis of bond between caregiver & infant. Some comparative research may be applied to benefit animals' lives e.g, those in captivity or those in breeding programmes for species in danger of extinction.
• What is ethological psychology?

  Ethologists study animals in way that doesn't affect their behaviour, observing in natural environment with little interference.
• Lorenz (1935)


  Arranged for gosling eggs to hatch so he was first moving thing they saw. They followed him as if he was mother. Research also had important influence on understanding emotional development.
• Fossey (1983)


  Observed gorillas in natural habitat to reach greater understanding of their social relationships.
• Allen (2003)


  Reported presence of pets reduced blood pressure in kids reading aloud, buffered elderly against life event stresses & reduced cardiovascular risk.
• Animal assisted therapy (AAT)


  Enable disturbed or socially isolated people to learn how to trust & form relationships with other people (form attachments). May involve use of dogs, cats, fish, dolphins, horses & hamsters as 'behavioural facilitators'. Bond between client & animal developed through physical interactions (grooming or feeding). Verbal interactions later (command dog to sit)- beginning of social bond between client & animal. Ultimate aim= transfer social skills to relationships with humans. Therapist can use animal-client relationship as means of exploring sensitive issues.
• Singer (1975)


  Argued discrimination on basis of membership of a species is no different from racial or gender discrimination- use of animals is example of speciesism.
• Gray (1991)


  Suggested we have special duty of care to humans, & therefore speciesism is not equivalent to e.g, racism.
• Regan (1984)


  Believes there's no circumstances under which animal research is acceptable. Claims animals have right to be treated with respect & should never be used in research. However, having rights is dependent on having responsibilities in society (as citizens). Animals have no responsibilities, so don't have any rights?
• Friedmann & Son (2009)


  Reviewed 28 studies using AAT & found all reported beneficial effects for emotional problems including scz, developmental disabilities & down syndrome.
• Olds & Milner (1954)


  Placed electrode in region of rat's brain & stimulated everytime it went into certain corner of box. Rats kept returning to corner (found experience pleasurable). Region known as pleasure/reward centre. Further studies showed rats repeatedly pressing lever to experience stimulation in this area of brain, even forgoing behaviours such as eating & drinking. Females abandoned newborns to continually press lever. Rats unhooked from apparatus to prevent death by self-starvation.