APA Guidelines for Non-human Participants
Hadiqa Asif
Roll no. 14
Replica
Mam Asma Yousuf
Professional Ethics Assignment
Centre for Clinical Psychology
University of the Punjab
August 31, 2022
Committee on Animal Research and Ethics (CARE)
The charge of the committee on the Animal Research and Ethics is to safeguard
responsible research with animals, to disseminate in cooperation with other organizations
accurate information about such research, guidelines for protecting the welfare of animals,
teaching and practical applications and to consult on the implementation of these guidelines.
CARE has produced a series of short films on non-human animal research in psychology.
(September,2008) This DVD includes three segments named the recovery of function, the
significance of touch and psychopharmacology.
APA Guidelines for the Non-human Participants
The following guidelines (informed by relevant sections of the Ethical Principles of
Psychologists and Code of Conduct (APA, 2017)) were developed by the American
Psychological Association (APA) for use by psychologists working with nonhuman animals.
Justification of the Research
Research should be undertaken with a clear scientific purpose. There should be a
reasonable expectation that the research will increase knowledge, determine the replicability and
generality of prior research, increase understanding of the species under study and provide
results that benefit the welfare of animals
Personnel
Psychologists should ensure that personnel involved in their research with nonhuman
animals be familiar with these guidelines. Investigators and personnel should complete all
required institutional research trainings for the ethical conduct of such research. Behavior is a
primary source of information about an animal’s health and well-being, investigators should
recognize deviations from normal, species-typical behaviors as indicators of potential health
problems.
Care and Housing of Laboratory Animals
.All procedures carried out on nonhuman animals are to be reviewed by an IACUC to
ensure that the procedures are appropriate and humane. Laboratory animals are to be provided
with humane care and healthful conditions during their stay in any facilities of the institution
Acquisition of Laboratory Animals
Laboratory animals not bred in the psychologist’s facility are to be acquired lawfully
Nonhuman animals taken from the wild should be trapped in a humane manner and in
accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Experimental Procedures
Observational and behavioral studies that involve no aversive stimulation to, or elicit no
sign of distress from, the nonhuman animal are acceptable. Use of muscle relaxants or paralytics
alone during surgery, without anesthesia, is unacceptable
Field Research
Research conducted in populated areas must be done with respect for the property and
privacy of the area’s inhabitants. Psychologists conducting field research should disturb their
populations as little as possible, while acting consistent with the goals of the research.
Research in Other Settings
Research on captive wildlife or domesticated animals outside the laboratory setting that
materially alters the environment or behavior of the nonhuman animals should be subject to
IACUC approval.
Educational Use of Non-human Animals
Nonhuman animals may be used for educational purposes only after review by an
IACUC or other appropriate institutional committee All handlers of nonhuman animals in
educational settings should adhere to the recommendations outlined above for personnel,
housing, and acquisition of subjects.
References
American Psychological Association (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct
(2002, amended effective June 1, 2010, and January 1, 2017).
