Animal Research/Animal Models
Animal Research and Animal Models
Animal research in psychology involves studying non-human species to understand biological and psychological processes that may also occur in humans. Animal models use data from animal studies to make inferences about human behaviour, especially when direct human research is not ethically or practically possible. Much of what we know about the biological basis of addiction, stress responses, phobias, and neuroplasticity came initially from animal studies.
Reasons for Using Animal Research
- Animals share fundamental neurobiological structures with humans
- Shorter lifespans allow study across entire lifespan
- Researchers can control animal environments more tightly
- Some interventions cannot ethically be performed on humans
Key Examples
- Skinner's operant conditioning with rats and pigeons
- Pavlov's conditioning research with dogs
- Harlow's (1958) monkey studies on attachment
- Animal models of addiction using rats that self-administer drugs
Ethical Considerations: Animals cannot give consent, and laboratory conditions often cause stress, pain, or deprivation. The three Rs framework — Replacement, Reduction, Refinement — guides ethical animal research. The question of whether the benefits justify costs to animal welfare remains genuinely contested.
Limitations: The degree of biological similarity varies considerably. Animal models have failed to translate to humans in some cases — notably in drug trials where compounds that work in animals have shown different effects or serious side effects in human trials.