Quiz #2 - Anisci 260

sentience

capacity to feel and experience

A sentient being must have some ability to:

• evaluate the actions of others

• remember its own actions and their consequences

• assess risks and benefits

• have some degree of awareness

Antropomorphism

assigning human attributes/feelings to animals

sensation vs feeling

physical consequences of exposure to a stimulus

vs

internal states with no reference to external reactions

components of an emotion

subjective: what the animal feels

behavior: what the animal displays

neurophysiological: how the animal’s body responds

what is the limbic system made up of

brainstem, neocortex

thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus

brainstem and neocortex

brainstem: controls primitive functions like the heart and breathing

neocortex: processing sensory functions and motor control

• body work together to adapt body to environment and external stimuli

thalamus → relay center

• decides which sensory inputs to process vs ignore

• where to send information

processes touch, sight, sound

Amygdala

responsible for: fear, aggression, anxiety, pleasure

ex. make a memory that that certain stimulus caused fear, aggression, anxiety or pleasure

hypothalamus

CRITICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN BRAIN AND BODY

• hormone regulation

• body temperature

• homeostasis

Hippocampus

PLAYS CRUCIAL ROLE IN COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS

ex. memory consolidation, spacial navigation, emotional regulation

Stereotypies

• unvarying, repetitive behavior patterns that serve no obvious goal or function

• often observed in impoverished environments

• data indicates links between stereotypies and behavioral deprivation

Displacement behavior

a normal behavior that is performed out of context with the situation

• often arise from conflict or frustration

not what you expect in the moment

redirected behavior

normal activities directed at inappropriate substrates or targets

• common in situations of motivational conflict or emotional arousal 

ex. calves removed from mother have urge to suckle → will direct the urge to suckle to something else like other calves ear or tail

self injurious behaviors → self mutilation

deliberate, repetitive, impulsive, non-lethal harming of oneself

• considered a sign of psychological distress

vacuum activity

performing an instinctive behavior in the absence of a typical stimulus

• caused by the buildup of internal motivation

• indicates that some need is not being met

ex. circling/pacing, plucking feathers, flank biting, licking until they start to bleed

5 ethical views regarding animals

contractarian, utilitarian, animal rights, relational, respect for nature

contractarian view

• motivated fueled by self interest and mutual agreement

• HUMAN CENTERED → applies only to individuals who can “contract in”

• humans need to directly/indirectly benefit

ex. only treat animals/people well because you stand to gain something from them

person agreeing with Contractarian view

carl cohen

• animals are not a part of a moral community, therefore they have no moral rights

this view was the basis for animal research

Ultilitarian view → the greatest happiness principle

• emphasizes outcomes and consequences of actions

• treating animals well is good for them and good for us

instrumental value: being worthwhile because it leads to something beneficial 

person agreeing with Utilitarian view

Peter Singer

• all being with “interests” deserve equal consideration

animal rights view

• animals should not be used for meat or any type of production or companionship

• all animals should be free roaming and in their natural environment

• equal to humans

• if an animal is injured, let nature take its course

relational view

• relationship/closeness to humans determines level of importance

• capacities are relevant, but not most important

ex. okay to use rats in research because theyre gross, but dogs are not okay to use as research animals because they’re pets and they’re cute

Respect for nature view

moral concern expressed about the entire species

key concerns: extinction, preservation of species integrity

hybrid views:

• express concern about extinction of a species while considered well-being of individuals

• improve conditions of research animals while creating a long term plan to abolish animal experimentation