WJEC A Level Psychology –
Controversies – Exam Questions with
Solutions
1. Non-Human Animals - -One controversy in psychology is the use of non-
human animals in research studies. There are multiple points to evaluate
when discussing this topic.
-BPS Guidelines - Knowledge - ->Only use animals if absolutely necessary to
the research
>Use lowest number of animals needed
>3 R's- Replace, reduce, refine
>Regular food intake
>Care for animals when they are not being studied
>Pain causing procedures must be carefully evaluated
-BPS Guidelines - Research - ->Pavlov's dogs
>Sinner's rats
>Research that injected rats with amphetamines- >Schizophrenic symptoms
>Lorenz
>Rechtschaffen (however it's spelt)
>Harlow's monkeys
-BPS Guidlines - Discussion - -Using animals in research may be important
because experimenting on animals can help develop drugs and medical
procedures to treat diseases.
A problem with using animals in psychological research is that there are
ethical implications with using animals in research. For example,
-Comparative and Ethological Psychology - Knowledge - ->Comparative
psychology is the study of non-human animals, often with the intention of
making comparisons with humans. Some comparative research may be
applied to benefit animals' lives e.g. improve their lives in captivity.
>Ethologists seek to study animals in a way that does not affect their
behaviour, observing the animals in their natural environment with little
interference.
-Comparative and Ethological Psychology - Research - ->Harlow (1959)-
Placed infant rhesus monkeys in a cage with two wire mothers - one wrapped
in cloth and one with a feeding bottle. They developed into maladjusted
adults who couldn't socialise
, >1) Lorenz (1935)- Arranged for him to be the first moving thing gosling
eggs saw, they followed him as if he was their mother
2) Fossey (1983)- Observed gorillas
-Comparative and Ethological Psychology - Discussion - -Studying other
species often avoids some of the complex ethical problems involved in
studying humans. For example one could not look at the effects of maternal
deprivation by removing infants from their mothers or conduct isolation
experiments on humans.
Many people would argue that experimenting on animals is completely
ethically reprehensible. At least human subjects can give or withhold their
consent.
-Use as a Therapeutic Device - Knowledge - ->Presence of pets has been
shown to reduce stress.
>A different approach aims to enable disturbed or socially isolated
individuals to learn how to trust and form relationships with other people.
>AAT (animal assisted therapy) uses animals as behavioural facilitators. The
bond between client and animal is developed through physical interactions
such as grooming or feeding. Later, verbal interactions are encouraged.
Therapists can explore sensitive issues.
-Use as a Therapeutic Device - Research - ->Allen (2003)- reported that the
presence of pets reduced blood pressure in children reading aloud and
reduced cardiovascular risk.
>Friedmann and Son (2009)- Reviewed 28 studies using AAT and found that
all the studies reported beneficial effects for emotional problems including
schizophrenia and down syndrome.
Anestis (2014) reviewed 14 studies of equine therapy and identified a
number of serious methodological issues.
-Use as a Therapeutic Device - Discussion - -Pet therapy builds on the pre-
existing human-animal bond. Interacting with a friendly pet can help many
physical and mental issues. It can help reduce blood pressure and improve
overall cardiovascular health. This can help alleviate pain, reduce stress, and
improve your overall psychological state.
Some of the biggest risks of pet therapy involve safety and sanitation. People
who are allergic to animal dander may have reactions during pet therapy.
Animals in pet therapy programs are typically screened for behavior and
health.
-Speciesism - Knowledge - ->Speciesism, in applied ethics and the
philosophy of animal rights, is the practice of treating members of one
species as morally more important than members of other species
Controversies – Exam Questions with
Solutions
1. Non-Human Animals - -One controversy in psychology is the use of non-
human animals in research studies. There are multiple points to evaluate
when discussing this topic.
-BPS Guidelines - Knowledge - ->Only use animals if absolutely necessary to
the research
>Use lowest number of animals needed
>3 R's- Replace, reduce, refine
>Regular food intake
>Care for animals when they are not being studied
>Pain causing procedures must be carefully evaluated
-BPS Guidelines - Research - ->Pavlov's dogs
>Sinner's rats
>Research that injected rats with amphetamines- >Schizophrenic symptoms
>Lorenz
>Rechtschaffen (however it's spelt)
>Harlow's monkeys
-BPS Guidlines - Discussion - -Using animals in research may be important
because experimenting on animals can help develop drugs and medical
procedures to treat diseases.
A problem with using animals in psychological research is that there are
ethical implications with using animals in research. For example,
-Comparative and Ethological Psychology - Knowledge - ->Comparative
psychology is the study of non-human animals, often with the intention of
making comparisons with humans. Some comparative research may be
applied to benefit animals' lives e.g. improve their lives in captivity.
>Ethologists seek to study animals in a way that does not affect their
behaviour, observing the animals in their natural environment with little
interference.
-Comparative and Ethological Psychology - Research - ->Harlow (1959)-
Placed infant rhesus monkeys in a cage with two wire mothers - one wrapped
in cloth and one with a feeding bottle. They developed into maladjusted
adults who couldn't socialise
, >1) Lorenz (1935)- Arranged for him to be the first moving thing gosling
eggs saw, they followed him as if he was their mother
2) Fossey (1983)- Observed gorillas
-Comparative and Ethological Psychology - Discussion - -Studying other
species often avoids some of the complex ethical problems involved in
studying humans. For example one could not look at the effects of maternal
deprivation by removing infants from their mothers or conduct isolation
experiments on humans.
Many people would argue that experimenting on animals is completely
ethically reprehensible. At least human subjects can give or withhold their
consent.
-Use as a Therapeutic Device - Knowledge - ->Presence of pets has been
shown to reduce stress.
>A different approach aims to enable disturbed or socially isolated
individuals to learn how to trust and form relationships with other people.
>AAT (animal assisted therapy) uses animals as behavioural facilitators. The
bond between client and animal is developed through physical interactions
such as grooming or feeding. Later, verbal interactions are encouraged.
Therapists can explore sensitive issues.
-Use as a Therapeutic Device - Research - ->Allen (2003)- reported that the
presence of pets reduced blood pressure in children reading aloud and
reduced cardiovascular risk.
>Friedmann and Son (2009)- Reviewed 28 studies using AAT and found that
all the studies reported beneficial effects for emotional problems including
schizophrenia and down syndrome.
Anestis (2014) reviewed 14 studies of equine therapy and identified a
number of serious methodological issues.
-Use as a Therapeutic Device - Discussion - -Pet therapy builds on the pre-
existing human-animal bond. Interacting with a friendly pet can help many
physical and mental issues. It can help reduce blood pressure and improve
overall cardiovascular health. This can help alleviate pain, reduce stress, and
improve your overall psychological state.
Some of the biggest risks of pet therapy involve safety and sanitation. People
who are allergic to animal dander may have reactions during pet therapy.
Animals in pet therapy programs are typically screened for behavior and
health.
-Speciesism - Knowledge - ->Speciesism, in applied ethics and the
philosophy of animal rights, is the practice of treating members of one
species as morally more important than members of other species
