Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY

Bacoor City Campus
SHIV, Molino VI, City of Bacoor
(046) 476-5029
cvsubacoor@cvsu.edu.ph

Name: LAGRANA, MA. ANGELICA A. Date: 03-11-2024

Section & Course: BS PSYCHOLOGY 3-2 Instructor: MS. BENNET ESPAÑOLA

Worksheet: Part 1- What is Biopsychology?

Learning Activity: Please read the rubrics before you start answering the questions.

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages in using a non-human in research?

(please cite your references)

Basic research involves the use of nonhuman primates and is arguably one of the
most controversial topics in animal research. The question of whether research has
more benefits than drawbacks is at the center of the discussion. When evaluating the
advantages, a similar issue comes up. Therefore, even if it were claimed that it was
possible to quantify utility, it is unclear how the values for the various components of
expected utility could be combined. There are three or four categories in which the
division of benefits and harms is subject to moral judgment, making it difficult to avoid
accusations of arbitrariness. Furthermore, the moral judgment of whether or not
nonhuman primates should be used in research cannot be adequately represented by
the metaphor of weighing benefits and harms. The three requirements of the
3Rs—reducing the number of animals used for statistical reliability; substituting animals
for other models or methods when practical; and enhancing experimental procedures
and the animals' surroundings to reduce pain, stress, and discomfort—have become
increasingly important in recent years, as noted by Kalat (2017) in his book Biological
Psychology, Thirteenth Edition. Unfortunately, showing that the 3Rs have been properly
observed in order to preserve moral justice does not suffice to demonstrate that animal
testing is morally permissible.

Since most biological psychologists and neuroscientists are primarily interested in

the human brain and behavior, here are some advantages of using nonhuman subjects
in research: First and foremost, the basic mechanisms underlying behavior are universal

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY
Bacoor City Campus
SHIV, Molino VI, City of Bacoor
(046) 476-5029
cvsubacoor@cvsu.edu.ph

across all animals, and in some cases, studying them is way more easy. Secondly, we
have this innate fascination with animals. It is due to the innate curiosity of human
nature. Finally, an understanding of animals contributes to our understanding of human
evolution. Not to mention, certain types of human study cannot be conducted due to
ethical or legal constraints.

In contrast, the extent of harm caused to primates during neurological research

procedures differs significantly depending on the specific design of the study. When
medical procedures cause paralysis by severing nerves, stroke, or other serious and
irreversible brain damage, they can cause serious harm. Some treatments, such as
physically restraining primates for non-invasive brain imaging, cause the animal the least
amount of harm, according to Arnason and Clausen (2016). Furthermore, a large
number of monkeys undergo multiple tests before being put to death or retired in order to
obtain an up close and personal look at their brains. A standard technique in basic
neurological research involves implanting microelectrodes into the monkey brain through
a metal chamber that is surgically attached to the skull. The electrodes are used to
measure single-neuron activity in the brain; non-invasive brain imaging is unable to
perform this type of measurement. Pain does not occur during the procedure because
the brain lacks nociceptors. More invasive procedures that might be needed include
medication-assisted brain manipulation or the implantation of a search coil in the
animal's eye to track eye movements. These procedures can be uncomfortable even
though they are usually not painful. As a result, rather than being invasive, the possibility
of pain resulting from the experimental procedures is primarily related to physical
restraint.

In addition, according to Kalat (2017), there is a gather of individuals alluded to as

"minimalists" who tolerates animal experimentation, but has the condition that needs to
limit or ban others based on the sort of animal that will be used in research, the degree
of animal’s discomfort, and the research's potential harm. Be that as it may,
"abolitionists" do not see any room for compromise, in order to differentiate themselves
from "minimalists''. In the abolitionists perspective, each creature has the same
legitimate rights as individuals. Notwithstanding the reason for eating etc. They moreover

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY
Bacoor City Campus
SHIV, Molino VI, City of Bacoor
(046) 476-5029
cvsubacoor@cvsu.edu.ph

consider killing an animal for the sake of research to be a murder. From their point of
view, it is subjugation to keep any creature in a cage. The abolitionists' proponents
occasionally assert that the majority of animal research is inhumane and never produces
meaningful findings. Still, neither of those details is particularly important to a true
abolitionist. Regardless of how beneficial and painless the research is, they believe that
people should not be allowed to use animals for any purpose. In conclusion, the two
moral positions which are "Never Intentionally Hurt an Blameless" as well as "Some of
the time a Small Hurt Leads to a More noteworthy Great" are at odds in the feud
between natural activists as well as animal researchers. Be that as it may, allowing
investigation to happen definitely comes about in enduring or trouble on the one hand.

1.1 What is a comparative research approach?

Comparative studies employ a method whereby phenomena are analyzed and

then combined to identify points of similarity and differentiation. It focuses on the
similarities and differences between different units. Additionally, in terms
quantitative it is known to be variable oriented whereas qualitative is considered
as case-oriented. This research approach can be characterized as analyzing
various facets of life or social science in various nations or cultures.

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY
Bacoor City Campus
SHIV, Molino VI, City of Bacoor
(046) 476-5029
cvsubacoor@cvsu.edu.ph

Brain Scan Time:

Answer the following questions to assess how your brain works. Goodluck!(37)

1. Biopsychologists apply the knowledge of NEUROSCIENTIFIC disciplines to study

human behavior.
2. The main difference between the brains of humans and other mammals is in the overall
size and the extent of CORTICOL development.
3. A WITHIN-SUBJECT design allows the experimenter to study the same group of
subjects under two or more conditions.
4. RANDOMLY ASSIGNING of subjects is not possible in quasi experimental studies
5. Research that aims to bring about some benefits to mankind is APPLIED in nature.

REFERENCE:

Arnason, G., Clausen, J. On balance: weighing harms and benefits in fundamental

neurological research using nonhuman primates. Med Health Care and Philos 19,
229–237 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-015-9663-4

Kalat, J. W. (2018). Biological psychology (13th ed.). Cengage Learning.