Working with Animals in Psychology
Summary of some of the guidelines for working with animals in psychological studies.
- Created by: emily_w
- Created on: 02-03-15 14:14
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- Working with Animals in Psychology
- Alternatives
- Video and computer simulations can be used to prevent animal suffering
- Ratlife project provides video of free-living rats
- Choice of species
- Species
- The psychologist should know the species' natural history
- Psychologists should be aware of the species' level of sentience.
- Psychologists should choose an animal which will suffer least
- Individuals
- Psychologists should know about the animal's past, eg if it was bred in captivity
- Species
- Number of animals
- The 1986 Act requires researchers to use the smallest number of animals possible
- Pilot studies help estimate the minimum number of animals used
- Animal care
- Animals should be housed according to their social behaviour, eg social animals should not be housed alone
- Animals must have a minimum of freedom of movement, adequate food and water and housing
- Animals should have their cages cleaned frequently enough to prevent disease, but not enough so that it will cause stress
- Other features such as natural materials, dust baths and perches should be considered
- Disposing of animals
- Animals may be distributed among colleagues as breeding animals, for further research or as companion animals, but a high quality of care must be ensured
- If an animal must be killed, it must be done as humanely as possible
- Death must be confirmed before the animal's body is disposed of
- Vets should be consulted for methods of euthanasia
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