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

Hunt, Maree; Macaskill, Anne C.

doi:10.1177/0098628317692632

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Students reported that the live-rat labs were ethically acceptable and that working with live rats enhanced their learning to a greater extent than working with Sniffy. These results support the retention of laboratories using live rats in psychology courses [25].…”

Section: Research Involving Human Volunteerssupporting

confidence: 80%

Alternatives to Animal Experimentation: Its Institutional Teaching and Scientific

Anguiano‐Robledo¹,

Calzada‐Mendoza²,

CornelioBarrientos-Alvarado³

et al. 2018

Reflections on Bioethics

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Although it is desirable to replace scientific procedures with live animals by other methods that do not use them, the use of animals in scientific procedures should be restricted to those areas that benefit human, animal, and environmental health. The use of animals as experimental models of observation of biological phenomena has evolved with man, to this day. The use of animals for scientific or educational purposes should be considered only when there is no other alternative and it is governed by the principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement. The scientists should be sure that the information obtainable with the experiments is not yet available or that the protocol was designed taking into account animal protection considerations. The chosen methods must use the least number of animals; provide satisfactory results; use the species with the least ability to experience pain, suffering, anguish, and damage; and be optimal for the extrapolation of results to the target species such as humans. It will be fundamental to guarantee on a scientific and ethical basis that the use of an animal is subject to a careful evaluation regarding the scientific or educational validity.

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Section: Research Involving Human Volunteerssupporting

confidence: 80%

Alternatives to Animal Experimentation: Its Institutional Teaching and Scientific

Anguiano‐Robledo¹,

Calzada‐Mendoza²,

CornelioBarrientos-Alvarado³

et al. 2018

Reflections on Bioethics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In addition, using live rats increased their respect for and understanding of other research that uses live animals. Students noted that they learned more about ethics and proper animal handling when using a live rat (Elcoro & Trundle, 2013) and found the use of live rats ethically acceptable (Hunt & Macaskill, 2017). Furthermore, 92% of students who compared live to virtual rats agreed that animal laboratory work should be a requirement for undergraduate psychology training (Elcoro & Trundle, 2013).…”

Section: Virtual Animal Lab Alternativesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…portunity to conduct novel research, the lack of which is a frequent complaint about oftreplicated rat labs (Elcoro & Trundle, 2013;Hunt & Macaskill, 2017). Furthermore, due to the dearth of information about this species, student research may well be publishable.…”

Section: The Roach Lab Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, students taking lecture-based classes are 1.5 times more likely to fail than are students taking courses with an emphasis on active learning (Freeman et al, 2014). Psychology students report they are more engaged when working with animals in the classroom and gain a better understanding of the concepts being taught, and the experiences give them a more realistic experience with psychological research (Abramson, Onstott, Edwards, & Bowe, 1996; Elcoro & Trundle, 2013; Hunt & Macaskill, 2017).…”

Section: Importance Of Animal Labs In Undergraduate Psychology Educationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Students comparing live rat experiments with Sniffy the Virtual Rat report the live experience was a better learning experience in a variety of ways (Elcoro & Trundle, 2013; Hunt & Macaskill, 2017). For instance, students rated live rat laboratories higher on aiding student learning, enjoyment, and engagement relative to virtual rats.…”

Section: Virtual Animal Lab Alternativesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Cockroaches to the rescue: A new approach to reintroduce animal labs to the psychology undergraduate curriculum.

Proctor

Jones

2021

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology

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Animal laboratories have been a central part of undergraduate psychology education for decades. Courses such as learning and animal behavior have leveraged lab experiments, often using rats and pigeons, for hands-on research and learning experiences. The cost of animals, labs, and maintenance as well as the myriad ethical considerations with animals have steadily reduced the availability of animal labs on college campuses. Virtual lab experiences offer some utility but not to the degree of actual hands-on experience. This article explores the use of the discoid cockroach (Blaberus discoidalis) as an ideal invertebrate alternative to rats and pigeons. This animal model can be actualized at a fraction of the cost and with far fewer ethical confounds. Roaches are able to be classically and operantly conditioned, thus allowing students to gain experiences similar to those gained as when using more traditional animal models. Furthermore, because there is generally a dearth of psychological research on cockroaches, and discoid roaches specifically, students have the opportunity to conduct novel research during the course of a semester-long class. This may help engage students in psychology, research, and potentially publication as well as promote increased learning outcomes. Roachlab.org, a roach research resource, is discussed in terms of resources and goals.

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The PORTL Laboratory

Hunter¹,

Rosales‐Ruiz

2023

Perspect Behav Sci

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

Cited by 6 publications

References 8 publications

Alternatives to Animal Experimentation: Its Institutional Teaching and Scientific

Alternatives to Animal Experimentation: Its Institutional Teaching and Scientific

Cockroaches to the rescue: A new approach to reintroduce animal labs to the psychology undergraduate curriculum.

The PORTL Laboratory

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