Bio+LOA+and+research

toc =Biological research methods and ethics= **Learning outcome**: Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the biological level of analysis (for example, experiments, observations, correlational studies)

Research methods
 * Laboratory experiments (animal and human)
 * case studies
 * Correlational studies

You must know why these are used at the Bio LOA as well as strengths and limitations of each.


 * An SAQ may ask for a non-human or a human example **
 * If human is required, use case studies or correlational studies **

Experiments
Class text Law et al.
 * READ**
 * p. 16 (//this can be used for every level of analysis)//
 * p. 37 (//this is specific to the Biological LOA)//

Establish cause-effect relationship between variables
 * Why use?**


 * Strengths**
 * cause-effect relationship (explain)
 * test-retest reliability (explain)
 * control of variables (explain)


 * Limitations**
 * ecological validity (explain)
 * demand characteristics (explain)
 * need for deception (ethics)

Martinez and Kesner (non-human example)
 * EXAMPLES**

Case studies
Law et al
 * Why use?**
 * p. 24 (//this can be used for every level of analysis)//
 * p. 38 (//this is specific the biological LOA)//

Law et al - p. 24 - 25
 * Strengths**

Law et al - p. 24 - 25
 * Limitations**

Law et al. - p. 25
 * Ethics**

Correlational studies
Law et al - p. 38 (//this is specific to the biological LOA)//
 * Why use?**

Law et al - pages 18 - 19
 * Strengths and limitations**

= **ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS for the Biological Level of analysis** =

You may of course use the information from the learning outcome on
 * Learning outcome:** Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the biological level of analysis.

[|Paul Root Wolpe on: It's time to question bio-engineering] media type="custom" key="25242746"
 * THINK**

[|Gregory Stock: To upgrade is human] media type="custom" key="25242744"


 * DISCUSSION**
 * 1) What is Wolpe's main argument? (Make a statement - then explain)
 * 2) What is Stock's main argument? (Make a statement - then explain)


 * REVIEW** the ethics page

**Using non-human animals**
Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in the Care and Use of Nonhuman Animals in Research (apa.org)

Animal studies help us understand more about human behavior - we can generalize findings to help generate hypotheses about causes of human behavior, or the impact of specific factors on human behavior. Ethical considerations outlined in the American Psychological Association website require:
 * Quick view**
 * researchers to follow set laws
 * Eg. that the studies comply with the Animal Welfare Act
 * that psychologists consider whether such experiments are justified - whether there is a clear scientific purpose
 * Eg. will results benefit the health or welfare of humans or other animals?
 * that psychologists consider the costs involved

Using human animals

 * Ethical considerations in genetic research **

**Quick view** **REVIEW ethical considerations in behavioral genetics**

John Crane has this to say about ethical considerations in general. Put this together with the considerations discussed in pages 59 - 60 of Crane and Hadad

" // As with all levels of analysis, the considerations are the same – but you should be able to discuss them in the context of biological research. These considerations include: gaining informed consent, confidentiality of information obtained, no undue stress to the participant, no irreversible harm to the individual, and the importance of respecting the person as an individual and not treating him/her as an “object.” We discussed research by Heath and Olds – in which they studied the role of the nucleus accumbens in addiction. An ethical consideration is whether the knowledge gained through the experimentation actually justifies the harm done to the animals that were being studied // ."

[]

**An SAQ should deal with whatever is asked for (usually one)**
 * An essay should deal with at least 3 specific considerations (see below) **

Key studies - People (human animals)
Relevant studies are outlined below

I: Any study used in behavioral genetics
**Review** Ethical considerations in behavioral genetics

**II: Robert Heath (1970)**

 * A localization study**
 * This was an application of Olds and Milner's findings (see below)**

media type="custom" key="25242992" [|Brain mechanisms of pleasure and addiction]
 * WATCH**

Crane - p. 44 [] (links to both studies)
 * READ**
 * Discussing the ethics of Heath's work **
 * Please note - elements of Heath's studies are disturbing, involving his experimentation with sexual arousal on 2 "severely ill" patients one suffering from chronic depression, and the other a woman of borderline intelligence suffering from grand mal epilepsy
 * Robert Heath "//Pleasure and brain activity in man//" (a copy of this article may be found on our moodle). It may also be found in pdf form online by searching in Google Scholar.


 * Extension Reading (if you would like to pursue this further) **
 * The complexities of happiness: The Functional Neuroanatomy of Pleasure and Happiness by Morten L. Kringelbach and Kent Berridge
 * From the nucleus accumbens to the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the treatment of illnesses

**Olds and Milner (1954)**
Crane - page 44 The actual study - [|The Olds and Milner study] (useful if you wish to use this in an SAQ that requires a description of the procedure and findings)
 * A localization study**
 * READ**

Question
 * THINK**
 * 1) Where does this study comply with ethical guidelines?
 * 2) Where might it be ethically criticized?