Animal Research and Responsibility

What is an animal model in psychology?

the use of a non-human animal to study a psychological or psychopathological process that is similar to a human condition.

animal model vs animal research

animal models - a non-human animal used to study a condition similar to humans

animal research - overall scientific and medical field of conducting experiments on animal models for research

psychopathology

the study of mental disorders and unusual or maladaptive behaviours.

What are 5 advantages of animal models in the study of human behaviour?

• contribution to many life-saving treatments (ex. diabetes, malaria)

• provide “whole body system” needed to test for side-effects

• similarity to humans: shared DNA

• ethical alternative to unethical use of human subjects

• efficiency: shorter life cycles and faster reproduction cycles than humans

What are 5 arguments against using animal models?

• inaccuracies: may work on animals but not humans

• genetic differences: anatomic, metabolic, cellular differences

• ethics: may be unethical on animals, too

• behaviours in animals are analogous, not identical (animal models can’t imitate constructs, but there are also physiological differences)

• some key symptoms of disorders can’t be modeled in lab animals

What are examples of symptoms of disorders that can be modeled in animals, and those that can’t?

Can’t - Depressed mood, worthlessness, suicidal thoughts.

Can -  learned helplessness, chronic mild stress, social withdrawal

What are the 3Rs?

• a set of principles developed by psychologists to clarify moral guidelines in animal research

• reduction, refinement and replacement

What is reduction in the 3Rs and its three components?

reducing the no. of animals used in the experiment

• Improve experimental techniques (ex. No repeats, no mistakes)

• Improve techniques of data analysis (ex. More detailed analysis)

• Share information with other researchers (--> NO DUPLICATION)

What is refinement in the 3Rs and its three components?

Refining the experiment or the way the animals are treated to reduce their suffering

• Using less invasive techniques

• Better medical care for the animals

• Better living and breeding conditions

What is replacement in the 3Rs and its three components?

Replacing experiments on animals with alternative techniques

• Experiments in cell cultures instead of on whole animals

• Using computer models

• Studying more human volunteers

What are the 3 key ethical considerations when in animal experiment?

• justification of cost vs benefit

• the 3Rs

• euthanasia 

euthanasia

the act of intentionally ending a life to relieve suffering, typically in cases of painful, incurable illness

What are some key considerations in evaluating the cost vs harm of an experiment?

• The number of humans who would benefit from the study

• The effect on humans if the study is not conducted

• The number of animals suffering in the experiment

• The harm done to the animals

Name a study that used an animal model to study brain plasticity

Rosenzweig, Bennett, and Diamond (1972) - brain plasticity in rats

What was the aim of the Rosenzweig, Bennett and Diamond (1972) study on rats?

Investigate whether environmental factors such as enrichment or deprivation affect brain development

What was the procedure of the Rosenzweig, Bennett and Diamond (1972) study on rats?

1. More than 50 rats were assigned to an enriched environment (lots of toys, social interaction) vs a deprived environment (isolation, empty cage)

2. After 30-60 days, their brains were dissected

What were the findings of the Rosenzweig, Bennett and Diamond (1972) study on rats?

Enriched condition - thicker cortices and heavier frontal lobes -> shows clear effects of environmental stimulation on brain plasticity (strong scientific studies)

What were the human implications of the Rosenzweig, Bennett and Diamond (1972) study on rats?

It implies that environmental factors like intellectual and social stimulation are crucial for brain development in humans

→ brain is plastic

→ impact of poverty and environment on cognitive development, rather than inherent deficiency