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Name: Saima Nawaz Father Name: M. Nawaz Tahir Department: Psychology Ma'am: Miss Bushra Khan Seat No: H2071074 3 Year BS Honors

Robert Ader's research in the 1960s on learned helplessness demonstrated that animals exposed to inescapable stressors may give up on escape attempts, revealing significant psychological consequences. However, the experiments faced ethical criticism for causing unnecessary distress, using deception, and not considering long-term effects. The document also discusses ethical considerations in animal research and suggests alternative approaches to studying learned helplessness without causing harm.

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4 views2 pages

Name: Saima Nawaz Father Name: M. Nawaz Tahir Department: Psychology Ma'am: Miss Bushra Khan Seat No: H2071074 3 Year BS Honors

Robert Ader's research in the 1960s on learned helplessness demonstrated that animals exposed to inescapable stressors may give up on escape attempts, revealing significant psychological consequences. However, the experiments faced ethical criticism for causing unnecessary distress, using deception, and not considering long-term effects. The document also discusses ethical considerations in animal research and suggests alternative approaches to studying learned helplessness without causing harm.

Uploaded by

murasame2635
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: Saima Nawaz

Father Name: M. Nawaz Tahir


Department: psychology
Ma’am: Miss Bushra khan
Seat No: H2071074
3rd year BS honors

Robert Ader's Research on Learned Helplessness

In the 1960s, psychologist Robert Ader conducted a series of experiments on learned


helplessness, a phenomenon in which animals that have been exposed to
uncontrollable or inescapable events give up and fail to respond even when presented
with an opportunity to escape or avoid harm. Ader's research was groundbreaking in its
exploration of the psychological consequences of uncontrollable stress, but it has also
been criticized for its ethical implications.

In Ader's experiments, rats were first subjected to inescapable shocks, which they were
unable to avoid or escape. After these shocks, the rats were placed in a chamber where
they could easily escape by jumping over a low barrier. However, the rats that had been
exposed to inescapable shocks were less likely to escape, even when the shocks were
applied again. This suggested that the rats had learned that their escape attempts were
futile and had given up trying.

Ader's research has been criticized on several ethical grounds. First, the rats were
subjected to unnecessary distress. The inescapable shocks caused them to experience
physical pain and psychological trauma. Second, the research used deception. The rats
were not informed that they could escape the shocks, and they were therefore
manipulated into giving up. Third, the research did not consider the potential long-term
effects of learned helplessness on the rats. It is possible that the rats' learned
helplessness could have generalized to other situations in their lives, making them less
likely to try to escape from other forms of stress.

Despite these ethical concerns, Ader's research has made important contributions to
our understanding of learned helplessness. His work has shown that learned
helplessness is a real phenomenon that can have serious consequences for animals. It
has also helped to clarify the mechanisms of learned helplessness, which may involve
changes in brain chemistry and behavior.
Ethical Considerations in Animal Research

The use of animals in research raises a number of ethical concerns. These concerns
include:

 Pain and suffering: Animals should not be subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering.
 Deception: Animals should not be deceived or manipulated.
 Environment: Animals should be provided with a safe and healthy environment.
 Benefit-risk assessment: The potential benefits of the research should outweigh the
potential risks to the animals.

Researchers have a responsibility to minimize the harm caused to animals in research.


They should use humane methods and procedures, and they should carefully consider
the potential benefits of the research before conducting it.

Alternative Approaches:

1. Observational Studies: Instead of inducing learned helplessness through direct


exposure to inescapable shocks, researchers could have studied the
phenomenon using observational methods. By observing rats in natural
environments or in situations where helplessness naturally occurs, researchers
could gain insights without causing unnecessary distress.
2. Alternative Animal Models: Instead of using rats, researchers could have
explored learned helplessness in other animal models, such as invertebrates or
lower vertebrates, which are less sensitive to pain and distress. This could have
reduced the potential for animal suffering while still providing valuable scientific
insights.
3. Computer Simulations: Researchers could have developed computer
simulations to model learned helplessness, allowing them to study the
phenomenon without directly involving animals. This approach could have
provided valuable insights into the mechanisms and consequences of learned
helplessness without the ethical concerns associated with animal experiments.

Conclusion:

Robert Ader's research on learned helplessness is a valuable contribution to our


understanding of this important phenomenon. However, the research has also been
criticized for its ethical implications. It is important for researchers to carefully consider
the ethical implications of their work and to take steps to minimize the harm caused to
animals.

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