Experimenting on Animals• Harold Herzog – two arguments used by animal rights activists• The utilitarian argument – equality• Peter Singer - the capability to suffer• Should have equal moral consideration (same as humans)

• Creatures (at least some) have fundamental rights• The right not to be harmed (who has the right to have rights?)• Criteria – language, self-consciousness, or ability to enter into

reciprocal contractual obligations• (consider this – the mentally challenged, an infant, mentally ill)• Tom Regan – argues that “inherent value” is

Ethics of Animal and Human Research

Animal Research – American Psychological Association -

• They must have a clear scientific purpose• The research must answer a specific, important scientific question• Animals chosen must be best-suited to answer the question at hand• They must care for and house animals in a humane way• They must acquire animals subjects legally. Animals must be purchased

from accredited companies.• They must design experimental procedures that employ the least

amount of suffering feasible• Intuitional Review Board (IRB)

Human Research – APA Guidelines• No Coercion - should be voluntary• Informed consent – Must be aware and give consent• Anonymity or confidentiality – protect the participants’

privacy • Risk – can not be placed at significant mental or physical risk• Debriefing – after the study, participants should be told the

purpose of the study and given ways to contact the researchers about the results.

***** Deception requires thorough debriefing

Animal and Human Research Compared

•Within the limits imposed by the guidelines, researchers can physically harm animals if the harm is justified •Deception is obviously not an issue with animals•Researchers must keep suffering to a minimum•Animals subjects must be chosen carefully (from

accredited commercial sources)• Environment for animals MUST follow strict guidelines

Assignment• In conclusion, use your book (page 48) and your notes from class

to discuss the following:In paragraph format (2-4) , 1. explain why psychologists study animals2. and discuss the ethics of experimentation with both animals and

humans.Consider:

When is it ethical to deceive?Is it beneficial? Is it detrimental? Is it necessary?When is it ethical to use animals in research? Who determine ethical

guidelines?

Experimenting on People

• Stanley Milgram’s Study https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCVlI-_4GZQ