Attitude Results From A National Survey Of Psychology Majors
Evaluates psychology majors’ attitudes about using animals in psychological research and teaching, including differences by gender, by type of school, and by geographical location.
A national survey of psychology majors was conducted about the use of animals in psychological research and teaching. Generally speaking, the views of psychology students were similar to those of practicing psychologist in that they tended to support animal experimentation involving observation or confinement, but disapproved of studies involving pain or death. In addition, they were in support of mandatory pain assessments and the federal production of rats, mice, pigeons and reptiles and supported the use of animals in teaching, although opposed to an animal laboratory requirement for psychology majors.
The strongest opposition to the use of animals was noted among women, students at selective schools and students residing in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic regions of the country.
A comparison of survey responses from psychology majors and practicing psychologists to various survey questions shows that (Psychology majors/Psychologists): “In general, do you support or oppose the use of animals in psychological research?”
- Support (71.7%/80.0%)
- Oppose (18.5%/14.1%)
- Not sure (9.8%/5.8%)
“Do you believe that the use of animals in psychological research is necessary for progress in psychology or not?”
- Yes (68.4%/68.9%)
- No (15.7%/13.4%)
- Not sure (15.9%/17.7%)
“Some people say that funds for animal research would be better spent studying humans. Others feel that funding for animal research should be maintained or increased. What is your opinion?”
- Decrease portion of funds spent on animal research (28.2%/29.4%)
- Maintain portion of funds spent on animal research (65.0%/64.5%)
- Increase portion of funds spent on animal research (6.8%/6.1%)
“In general, how do you feel about the legal regulations governing animal research?”
- The should be tougher and/or more inclusive (38.6%/32.3%)
- They are adequate and should be maintained (55.1%/61.2%)
- They are excessive and should be reduced (6.2%/6.5%)
“Federal regulations protect the psychological well-being of primates used in research. Do you support or oppose the idea of protecting the psychological wellbeing of primates?”
- Support (85.1%/85.9%)
- Oppose (4.0%/3.9%)
- Not sure (10.9%/10.2%)
“Before being granted approval to run an experiment, investigators in Great Britain, Canada and the Netherlands are required to assess the degree of pain animals may experience. Would you support or oppose a similar requirement in the U.S.?”
- Support (85.2%/81.2%)
- Oppose (7.0%/7.2%)
- Not sure (7.8%/11.6%)
“As far as you know, are the animals used in psychological research treated humanely or not?”
- Yes (43.9%/42.8%)
- No (11.7%/10.7%)
- Not sure (44.4%/46.6%)
In general, do you support or oppose the use of animals in undergraduate psychology courses?”
- Support (56.9%/57.8%)
- Oppose (28.4%/26.2%)
- Not sure (14.7%/16.0%)
“Do you feel that laboratory work with animals should be a required part of the undergraduate psychology major?”
- Yes (34.1%/31.1%)
- No (54.3%/53.9%)
- Not sure (11.6%/15.0%)
http://www.socialpsychology.org/pdf/ap1996.pdf