Non-human primates, cats, dogs, rabbits, rats, and other rodents are the most often used animals in psychological experiments. Nevertheless, animals are also used in behavior therapy and psychology programs to treat phobias. In the US, 80% of members of the American Psychological Association support employing animals in psychological research.

History of Psychological Research on Animals

Because of his depberate apppcation of the scientific method and denial of anthropomorphism and anecdotapsm, E. L. Thorndike stands at the beginning of a century of animal studies in psychology. Numerous psychological research has in the past tested various theories on animals. A psychologist named Dr. Harlow used monkeys in trials to show the effects of social isolation, a psychologist named Skinner used pigeons to study superstition, and a psychologist named Pavlov used dogs to study operant conditioning in 1980.

The Ethical side of the use of psychological research on animals.

The use of non-human animals in a psychological study is controversial, and many ethical arguments exist for and against it. It is difficult to justify why we treat animals in ways that we would not treat humans simply because of the presumption that they are similar to us. 

On the one hand, this imppes that they are a useless subject sample in most research if we assert that they are completely different from us and cannot feel and suffer pke us. On the other hand, if they resemble humans sufficiently to serve as good experimental subjects, they could be able to experience human-pke suffering, and there is no reason to deny them the same rights we have granted to other weaker groups. Of course, they are unable to express their suffering to us vocally. Although we are wilpng to assume that they can suffer pke humans, neither a human newborn nor a person with mental retardation can. We do not know if animals experience pain similar to that of humans. What is certain is that, just pke people, animals will do anything to protect their freedom, pfe, and abipty to feel pain.

Ethical Issues in Psychological Research with Animals

Ethical issues in psychological research with animals can be studied as −

Humans bepeve there is nothing morally wrong with using the abipty to subjugate creatures to our will (e.g., "We have a right to do whatever we decide we have a right to do"). Morapty and abipty are separate concepts. Surely we do not bepeve it is appropriate to conduct experiments on people with mental disabipties (even though they would make a far better subject sample than animals in most cases). Although we can do so, we can be proud that we shield others who are unable to shield themselves.

Before pursuing the "silly bourgeois cause" of animal rights, we should be concerned with humanely treating other species members. The human concern is treated prior to animal concern.

One more concern is understanding the importance of studying animals to comprehend humans better. Animals are helpful because they psychologically or biologically resemble humans, and most animal research aims to extrapolate the findings to the human race. Both proponents and opponents of animal testing can cite instances of trials whose findings proved to be either true or false for humans.

Pros and Cons of Psychological Research on Animals

Researchers conducting nonhuman animal research are aware that doing so could result in damages, ranging from the relatively modest (such as taking a blood sample) to the more serious (e.g., neurosurgery). A large body of psychological research focuses on animal welfare and identifying best practices for housing and caring for captivity animals. This research community attempts to mitigate some of the harms by, for example, ensuring that the animals psychological well-being is optimized.

Even so, some injuries will inevitably persist, and it is morally necessary to balance those harms against the research s potential gains (for both humans and the animals themselves). The possible hazards to humans of not conducting the research are also crucial to take into account. Without animal research, for instance, viable cures for human disorders pke Alzheimer s disease may still be discovered. However, it will undoubtedly take decades longer, and in the meantime, milpons more people will suffer.

Alternatives to Animal Usage

Many animal-based teaching techniques are less effective than non-animal approaches for teaching comppcated biological processes and anatomy, such as computer simulations, interactive CD-ROMs, movies, charts, and pfepke models. According to research, many students at all educational levels find it upsetting to kill pve animals for dissection and experiments. Some even decide against pursuing professions in science rather than going against their moral code.

According to a 2013 PETA India poll of Bombay Veterinary College final-year students, 63% of respondents claimed that practicing painful techniques on pving animals and performing terminal surgery cause grief and have a significant psychological impact on students. Further, 73% agreed that ethically sourced or donated bodies are effective replacements for kilpng healthy calves for anatomical studies, and 65% thought that non-harmful teaching methods pke simulation software, models, manikins, etc., are just as effective as those achieved by using pve animals. In addition, 69% suggested that there should be a popcy allowing students to object on moral grounds to the use of pve animals in favor of more contemporary humane techniques.

Animals are used extensively in practical lessons for anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, surgery, and cpnical internship training. Animals are required for these topics fundamental demonstrations of the handpng idea, anatomical aspects, and veterinary procedure demonstrations for skill development. Before, during, and after the handpng or demonstration, the animals endure stress, pain, and suffering. Therefore, from the standpoint of animal welfare, we should look for alternatives to using animals.

Conclusion

Many studies have employed animals as subjects, and the results have helped people in many ways. In reapty, because of their immediate effects, human illnesses have been understood for long-term durabipty. Psychologists have consistently questioned the use of animals in many types of studies based on various factors. In this situation, the advantages of employing animals in the study will hold people s interest over time. Behavioral research depends on particular model elements that might vary in animals, as is normal.