What are the advantages and disadvantages of non-human animals in psychological studies?
The standards for acceptable treatment of experimental non-human animals is much different than that for humans. Whether or not this is proper can be debated, but at present, you can manipulate a non-human’s experience to a much greater degree; you do not require the “permission” of a non-human; non-humans can be “sacrificed” (killed) for the purpose of experimentation. You can look at longitudinal and generational issues more easily because non-human animals live, reproduce and die at a much quicker rate than humans. The biggest disadvantage is the lack of generalizability. Results from a non-human, even a close relative like an ape, do not necessarily apply to humans. So eventually, you have to test out your theories on humans. But the use of non-humans may allow you to refine your questions and eliminate certain aspects of your study before moving onto a human population. There is, of course, also some interest in understanding other animals, simply for the sake of understanding the
