Definition
Animal Model
A living organism used in research to investigate human-like behaviours or processes. The goal is to generalize findings to human behaviour.
Definition
Biological Similarity
Many animal brain structures are similar to human brains, supporting the use of animals in studying psychological processes.
Animal research plays a critical role in understanding human behaviour by allowing controlled experiments on brain processes, hormones, genetics, and behaviour.
Although animals provide valuable insights, generalizing results to humans can be limited due to differences in brain function and psychology.
Advantages of Animal Research
- Controlled Environments: Animal studies enable researchers to control variables more strictly than in human studies.
- Generational Studies: Short lifespans of animals (e.g., mice) allow for intergenerational research.
- Genetic Manipulations: Techniques like gene "knockouts" are more feasible with animals.
- Accessibility: Animals are easier to handle and house in laboratories.
Disadvantages of Animal Research
- Generalizability Issues: Findings in animals may not always apply to humans.
- Ecological Validity: Laboratory conditions may alter animal behaviour, reducing applicability to natural or more realistic settings.
- Ethical Concerns: Studies involving invasive procedures can cause pain or distress to animals.
Ethical Considerations
- Three Rs Principle from the British Psychological Society:
- Replacement: Use animals only when no alternatives exist.
- Reduction: Minimize the number of animals used.
- Refinement: Ensure minimal distress during experiments.
- Justified Purpose: Research must benefit humans or other animals.
- Ethics Approval: All studies must be approved by an Ethics Committee.
- An example of establishing the ethics animal research is is Bateson's Cube, where 3 important aspects were outlined.
