The Question of Using Animals in Medical Experiments - Essay Example

Using Non-Human Animals as Methods for Research (Topic) Using Non-Human Animals as Methods for Research: Non-humananimals are used for research at many medical research foundations as focus for tests. They are used to experiment or alter into states which may help the person carrying out the research to increase their information regarding human disease or for testing possible human treatments against various diseases. Till the time of Watson, a famous psychologist, psychology was basically only based on the learning of what happens in one’s mind. People told the psychologists what was going on in their minds, the psychologists made notes of what they were being told; a very famous example of this is Freud and all those psychologists who followed his footsteps. Watson disagreed with the theory that psychology should only be based on things that can be observed; he believed that behaviour also plays a very important role Harry Harlow an American psychologist explored whether infants were close to their mothers because of the fact that they provide them with food, or more attached to someone who provides them with a soft touch. Normally the mother would provide her children with both food and caring for them, however in this study two different groups were formed, and one group of proxy monkeys provided them with food and the other group which was made of sponge and had a bulb attached to them which would provide the baby monkeys with the sense of warmth. Due to the conflict of ethics this sort of experiment could not be carried out on humans thus Harlow carried out this experiment on monkeys. The problem of using monkeys instead of animals is that one can never be too certain about the extent to which the results shown by the monkeys can be applied to humans. Only because monkeys show a similar behaviour to humans it does not always mean humans will show the same results. (Custance D., 2012) Burrhus Fredric Skinner portrayed immense interest in looking into the natural environment and in working out mechanical tools. Skinner’s academic career was influenced by many things. The influence diverged from the problem of consequences of behaviour. Skinner was committed to the theme of behaviourism and wanted to form a psychological study based on data that could be observed. Skinner carried out his experiments on rats that would be running in mazes. (Toates F., 2012) In this essay we will compare and contrast the approaches used by Skinner and Harlow for behavioural research using non human animals. Comparing how Skinner and Harlow used Non Human Animals: Both psychologists Skinner and Harlow had a few similarities in their research methods. Firstly both the psychologists carried out research on non human animals. Skinner conducted his research on rats that would be running in mazes. Crossing black alleys the rat would find food in the end. This was based on the idea of consequence of behaviour. (Toates F., 2012). However Harlow conducted his research using monkeys. He would switch the monkeys between two different groups, one where they would be given food and the other where they were taken care of. Through this he wanted to find out which group were the monkeys closer to in the end of the research. (Custance D., 2012) Secondly both the psychologists made the assumption that the non human animals that in this case are rats and monkeys respectively, would react the same way to these experiments the ways human would. Behaviourists believe that the rules that are followed in the Skinner box are not only about training the animals, but it can be useful in real life scenarios and support human behaviour. Custance, in his book tells us that one of the disadvantages of using monkeys instead of humans is that one can never be too certain that the humans will react the same way as monkeys. Another reason Harlow a used monkey instead of humans was that ethics restricted him from carrying out this research on humans. Thirdly both, Skinner and Harlow wanted to carry out research on behaviourism but the subjects they wanted to explore were different which will be spoken about while contrasting their methods of research. Skinner donated his research to the theory of behaviourism and wanted to form a psychological theory based on the data he observed through his research. The behaviour Harlow was observing was how the monkeys react to each group. The baby monkeys showed their inclination towards the mother who provided them with warmth, and only went to other mother when they needed food. Contrasting how Skinner and Harlow used Non Human Animals: Both, Skinner and Harlow’s aim for observing the behaviour of the animals was different from one another. Harlow wanted to form a theory which would prove whether newborns are closer to their mothers due to “cupboard love” which means if they are close to their mothers because they present them with food or due to “stimuli” i.e. because they provide them with warmth and love. (Custance D., 2012) Skinner, however wanted to know how the rats and pigeons will react upon pressing the lever and every time getting something to eat, i.e. consequence to behaviour. His research was based on Thorndike’s idea that getting food depended upon the right act. The way both the psychologists carried out their research was very different from each other. Skinner would place his rat in maze and it had to find its way to reach to the end and find food, in this case finding food was the consequence of behaviour. Initially the rat would start with entering dark alleys, however with time the rat will become more efficient. This took a lot of time so Skinner came up with the idea of “Skinner Box”. Rats and pigeons were kept in that box, when they pressed the lever a small amount was dropped into a tray inside the box which could be eaten. Different methods are tried to test how patient and curious the animals are. This box gives the model of a “controlled environment”. The times the lever is pressed by the rat are recorded. This box reduced the chance of distractions. (Toates F., 2012) To test the theory of behaviourism Harlow formed two sorts of proxy monkey figures; the first type was called the “terry-cloth” mother. This was made using a slab of wood which was covered with rubber and further covered with a towel. A light bulb was also attached which gave a feeling of mild heat. The second type of proxy monkey was made of wire and was not very comfortable to hold onto. Both the types had bottles of milk inserted in them. He used eight baby monkeys. They were divided in two groups; four baby monkeys were placed where the terry-cloth mother gave them milk while the other did not and the other four vice versa. His research showed that the baby monkeys were more attached to the terry-cloth mother and went to the other one only when they were hungry. If the terry-cloth mother was eradicated the baby monkeys seemed very upset. (Custance D., 2012) Research carried out both the psychologists helped us understand behaviour, and infant attachment which can be applicable in humans. We see that behaviour is managed by being in charge how things are done is just one way of learning. Behaviour is made stronger through the consequence, if it has a positive result and a reward the same action will be carried out again and again. Humans have natural inclinations to get attached with stimuli that contain some specific features. The care of someone who loves is so significant for a newborn to stay alive that one should not be shocked that the inclination is more towards those who provide with care and love. After Harlow’s experiments with monkeys, psychologists were determined to try out new experiments on humans to find out more about the theory of attachment as monkeys had similar behaviour patterns but still are not humans. However these psychologists were not able to keep the babies away from their parents and keep them in a separate place as it might harm their mental stability. Therefore theory of attachment in humans still has not been tested to a vast degree, it is mostly based on observations and surveys. The Skinner box, name given to the box invented by Skinner is a much preferred instrument in lots of different labs that carry out research. It is a trouble-free, well organized, and a very effective way through which behaviour can be observed in non-human animals. Drugs that are designed to reduce anxiety, their research were also conducted on rats using the Skinner box. Conclusion: Skinner and Harlow both wanted to form psychological theories based on the idea of behaviourism. There were many similarities and differences seen while studying how both of them have used non human animals in their research regarding behaviourism. Both of them have used non human animals in their research. Through Skinner’s research based on consequence of behaviour we learn about how every action has its own outcome. By seeing the experiments carried out on rats and pigeons we can see how humans will always go back and do the same action again and again for food. Since rats, who are a curious animal just like humans, are experimented on we can tell that humans will also press the lever again and again to see what will happen every time, however this result may be different with humans as they are a completely different species. Harlow’s research helps us understand the bond between a mother and a child. It tells us how caring is more important for infants than food. The baby monkeys keep going back to the mother which gives them the feeling of being loved constantly. This tells us that newborns are desperate for love and care. The baby monkeys only went to the mother with food when they were hungry; otherwise they chose to stay with the mother who was very soft and comfortable to hold on to. Both these researches were different from one another, but it helped us to understand that food is important for humans, however for newborns the feeling of being loved is more important. One must always remember that humans and animals are different from each other and will mostly have a different behaviour. References Custance D. (2012). “Determined to love?, In Brace N. and Byford J. (eds) Investigating Psychology, Oxford, Oxford University Press/Milton Keynes, The Open University. Toates F. (2012). “Changing Behaviour, In Brace N. and Byford J. (eds) Investigating Psychology, Oxford, Oxford University Press/Milton Keynes, The Open University. Read More