Animal Use, Student Choice, and Nonanimal Alternatives at “America's Best” Undergraduate Colleges

Abstract

Canadian colleges and universities (75% response rate) completed a questionnaire about animal use, student choice policies, and alternatives to the use of animals in undergraduate psychology education. Results indicated that a majority of institutions used animals in teaching, only a minority had choice policies within animal-based courses, and most schools used alternative learning methods, either as a substitute for or adjunct to live animal laboratories. In this article, I discuss the educational policy implications of practices in the undergraduate psychology animal-based curriculum at "America's best" colleges, especially the common practice of advising reluctant students away from animal course work.

Student Responses to Active Learning Activities With Live and Virtual Rats in Psychology Teaching Laboratories

“…Learning and behavior is one of the many psychology subdisciplines in which nonhumans are integral to research. Therefore, courses on learning and behavior often include “hands-on experience” with animals (Cunningham, 2003). An American Psychological Association (APA, 1990) resolution states “the use of animals by students can be an important component of science education” before highlighting the importance of animal welfare.…”

“…Anecdotal evidence suggests that working with live rats creates a unique learning opportunity and aids learning. Anecdotal reports may not provide a complete picture, however, as students with ethical reservations might not have an easy way to report these (Cunningham, 2003). We did not have any systematic data regarding learning benefits, students’ ethical evaluations of use of live animals, or students’ evaluations of substitute activities.…”

Sniffing Out Efficacy: Sniffy Lite, a Virtual Animal Lab

“…Because my current students' performances were comparable to my past students' performances on other concepts, I concluded our lack of an animal laboratory might be responsible. Indeed, 78% of "America's best colleges" that offer animal-based instruction do learning experiments (Cunningham, 2003). However, decreased funding has led to a decline in the use of animals for research (Plous, 1996) and demonstrations (Snyder, 2003).…”

Wirtualne laboratorium w nauczaniu podstaw psychologii behawioralnej

“…Ankieta przeprowadzona przez Cunninghama w 2001 roku pokazała, że wykorzystywanie zwierząt (w większości szczurów -81% i innych gryzoni -26% oraz ptaków -28%) w celach dydaktycznych na kierunku psychologia i pokrewnych jest dość powszechną praktyką na uczelniach amerykańskich (Cunningham, 2003). Spośród 262 najlepszych szkół wyższych w USA i Kanadzie, które brały udział w badaniu, 62% oferuje zajęcia oparte na doświadczeniach ze zwierzętami.…”