Using the Grounded Theory to explore people's views on animal use: What factors influence people when they consider their views on animal use?
Social Psychology Year 2 Qualitative Methods Using the Grounded Theory to explore people's views on animal use: What factors influence people when they consider their views on animal use? Word Count: 5800 Introduction: Social psychologists use the term 'attitude' to refer to people's evaluations of virtually any aspect of the social world. People can have favourable or unfavourable reactions to issues, ideas, specific individuals, entire social groups, objects and even animals (Baron, Byrne, & Branscombe, 2006). Often, attitudes are ambivalent in that we evaluate the attitude object/issue both positively or negatively. Attitudes are often acquired from others through social learning (classical conditioning, instrumental conditioning or observational learning. Strong attitudes are most likely when they are based on extreme beliefs and personal experience with the attitude object which thereby is more likely to affect their behaviour (Baron, Byrne & Branscombe, 2006). One issue of the social world that people often form strong attitudes towards is that of 'animal use'. The term 'animal use' is used to describe a range of practices that involve the use of non-human animals by human beings, from using animals to test drugs, to aid the development of medical procedures, to using animals for their fur, to keeping animals as pets or even for entertainment purposes.
Are non-human animals conscious?
CONSCIOUSNESS Are non-human animals conscious? Introduction: Are non-human animals conscious? Well, maybe. In investigating animal consciousness the null position is that they are not. Therefore, to answer the question we must either prove that they are, or provide an alternative explanation for evidence suggesting animal consciousness. Of course, this depends on what consciousness is. The Nature of Consciousness Consciousness can be defined as being aware to one's surroundings and identity. But such a definition is unable to encompass the entirety of the concept, so it is better to describe the forms in which consciousness comes and avoid what Dennett has called the 'heartbreak of premature definition'. We can be 'consciously aware' of a pain or a bird flying past. Both are sensed by unconscious, physiological mechanisms, interpreted, and are presented to our consciousness. We might suddenly remember a past memory. We can consciously think about a problem and work out the solution, or we might find that the answer to yesterday's problem suddenly appears in our consciousness. Our consciousness can also reach higher planes, as when we wonder what consciousness is. On these occasions we are aware not just of ourselves and of the world but also our place in it. This self-awareness is perhaps the most crucial part of human consciousness, since if we are aware of
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the pig
MUSCARINIC ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTORS IN THE PIG ABSTRACT . Muscarinic receptors in porcine caudate nucleus and urinary detrusor smooth muscle were examined using the non-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist radioligand [3H]-QNB. Muscarinic receptor-evoked contractile responses were investigated using strips of porcine urinary detrusor. 2. On comparing pKi values obtained with values and rank orders of affinity relating to human cloned receptors, it was concluded that M1 receptors are found in the caudate nucleus. M2 and M3 receptors are found in the bladder detrusor muscle. Using information gained from this experiment, use of antimuscarinics in the therapy of urinary incontinence was discussed with emphasis on Oxybutynin and its side effects due to non selective effects on muscarinic receptors in the central nervous system. Abbreviations: MAChR, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor; QNB, quinuclidinylbenzilate; INTRODUCTION Receptor physiology Muscarinic receptors are a class of acetylcholine receptors. They are G-protein coupled (7-transmambrane spanning receptors) coupled to intracellular effector systems through a G protein. They have various biochemical and electrophysiological effects when activated by acetylcholine in the body. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter with profound effects in the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system
This study attempts to explore the basis of people's fear of animals.
CONTENTS Abstract Introduction 2 Literature review 3 * Fear 3 * Learning 3 * Previous Research and Studies 4 * A Cognitive Approach 5 * Treatment of Phobias 6 Hypothesis 7 Method 9 * Materials and Apparatus 9 * Subjects 9 * Design 0 Results 2 * Nonparametric Correlations 2 * Partial Correlation Coefficients 2 * Reporting the Results 2 Discussion 6 * An explanation of how well our data fit our original hypothesis 6 * An explanation of whether the data supports or compliments previous research. 6 * A statement of our conclusions 7 * A discussion of the practical and theoretical implications of the results 8 * Limitations of the research 8 * Suggestions for future research in this area 9 * An overall conclusion 20 References 21 Appendices * Appendix 1 - Questionnaires 22 * Appendix 2 - Values 26 * Appendix 3 - Scattergrams 28 ABSTRACT This study attempts to explore the basis of people's fear of animals. Specifically, it seeks to explore the views of 126 individuals, with a majority of Maltese and a minority of foreigners. This study adopts a quantitative methodology. Data is gathered using questionnaire surveys assigned to each individual. Analysis of data uses spearman's Rho correlation and a first-order partial correlation derived from Guilford and Fruchter. Data derived shows a strong positive correlation
Vegetarianism is a groing trend right now with more and more people choosing it as their diet. Why?
Vegetarianism is a groing trend right now with more and more people choosing it as their diet. Why? Everyone has their own different reasons, but all share in the many benefits. Vegetarianism makes sense to a lot of people. It entails more than just "eating like a rabbit", it is a healthy way of life. Contrary to popular opinion, iron and protien can be found in foods other than meat and dairy products! Vegetarians eat much more than lettuce, actually their diet is most likely more rounded than a non-vegetarian/meat lover. They have their own Basic 4 food groups: grains and cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetables, and nuts and seeds. These foods eaten in the right combinations can provide vegetarians with enough of all vitamins and minerals necessary to be healthy and alive. Another reason why vegetarianism makes sense--biologically humans are not carnivores. Believe it or not, humans are designed to eat plant foods. Our body is not suited for a diet of meat, like other carnivorous animals are. Our teeth are flat, not pointed and sharp; also our digestive tract is much longer than that of carnivores. Meat-eating animals have a very short digestive system, designed to move the meat through their bodies as quickly as possible. Vegetarianism is probaby the safest way to eat. Think once about all of the chemicals, hormones, and additives put into meat. Then think about the
The positive correlation shows that the older the molehill the higher the species diversity index. This could be explained by the fact that when the moles first push up the soil it disturbs the plants
INTRODUCTION Foulden common is covers a vast area both sides of the Oxborough to Foulden road and includes a variety of different habitats including young woodland, ponds, drainage channel, stream, reed swamp, surrounding farmland and grassland. The grassland is a predominantly alkaline area but in some locations it becomes neutral or even acidic. It has not been disturbed for many hundreds of years, though recently it has suffered due to the instability of the grazing regime. This habitat also contains a number of microhabitats; one of which is the molehill. Molehills are formed by moles who form complex burrow systems underground as they are predominantly subterranean creatures. They push the excess soil out of their burrow systems and this forms molehills above the ground. When these molehills are formed it inevitably disturbs many species of plants which were growing above the ground. The soil that is pushed upwards is generally well oxygenated, dry and warm. These conditions are perfect for the plant life to re-establish itself on the molehill. This could be done in three ways: . Plants buried under the loose soil may force their way upwards and re-establish themselves. 2. Dormant seeds in the soil may germinate due to the new conditions that the molehill has improved. New seeds, usually wind pollinated, may arrive on the molehill and germinate. 3. Surrounding plants
Consider how the size of animals determines and restricts their patterns of walking and similar locomotion.
Consider how the size of animals determines and restricts their patterns of walking and similar locomotion. One major difference between living in a terrestrial and living in a marine environment is that of locomotion. Marine environments are relatively homogeneous, and offer a supportive medium that greatly reduces the energy required to travel within it. Terrestrial habitats are heterogeneous, the landscapes change from smooth plains to mountains and cliffs, and there is no such supportive medium so the full effects of the Earths' gravity must be encountered. Such a varied habitat entails a huge range of niches and subsequent specific adaptations to movement within them. The niche that an animal exploits imposes restrictions on overall morphology and behaviour. In this essay I shall describe how being a specific size restricts and hence determines the patterns of walking and similar locomotion in animals. Topics covered will be energetic and structural factors and how these shape the process of locomotion. Allometry is the study of the relationship between the dimensions of the anatomical and physiological features of an organism. It is a major tool in making meaningful comparisons between structures and processes in organisms of different body sizes. One of the simplest and easiest to measure allometric characters is body mass, M. The basic equation for an allometric
This paper attempts to investigate whether the associated consequences of global warming could lead to an increase in shark attacks on water users in British coastal waters.
Abstract. This paper attempts to investigate whether the associated consequences of global warming could lead to an increase in shark attacks on water users in British coastal waters. The study found that there are 21 species of shark currently found in British coastal waters with 5 of these species known to have attacked humans around the world. Over the last century the number of shark attacks on water users around the world has increased however there has only been one shark attack in British coastal waters. Sharks attacks occur on humans as the result of mistaken identity, because humans are seen easy prey, the invasion of the shark's territory or as a result of sharks inquisitive testing. Climate change has previously occurred but anthropogenic activities are accelerating the process. The present changes in climate change are the result of increased green house gas emissions, which will lead to both terrestrial and oceanic changes. Temperature is an environmental stressor that could possible see the distribution of fish change as fish species migrate northward to overcome predicted temperature increases. The study suggests that the number of shark attacks attributed to species currently found in British coastal waters is minimal but the effects of climate change will alter the distribution of fish throughout the world. If the number of shark attacks in
Animal Behaviour - Tinbergens Four Whys, Where are we now?
Animal Behaviour - Tinbergens Four Whys, Where are we now? Ethology has developed considerably since early last century where it was regarded as a hobby for naturalists and animal keepers. It has developed into a science of it's own founded by work based on Huxley's three principles of biology by TINBERGEN which urged academics to apply more rigorous experimental techniques and turned a largely qualitative subject into the quantitative science that it is known by today. However this transition has not been easy and during this paper I will outline how the scientific community has approached the subject over the years. I will start by outlining the work done by TINBERGEN and then move onto how his ideas of what the subject was has shaped what it has become. TINBERGEN described ethology as "the biological study of behaviour" in his paper "On Aims and Methods of Ethology" (1963). This was because at the time there was no consistent public view of what ethology was and even the academics involved differed in their opinion of what the subject entailed. He then broke down the field into two parts, the observable phenomenon (i.e. behaviour or movement), and more radically the method of study. Due to the complexity of the subject this was further broken down into different questions that should be addressed based on the previous work of HUXLEY. His work was on the "three aspects of
Animal Testing
Animal Testing Introduction The application of animals to test a large number of products from household compounds and cosmetics to Pharmaceutical products has been considered to be a normal strategy for many years. Laboratory animals are generally used in three primary fields: biomedical research, product security evaluation and education (animal experiments). It has been estimated that approximately, 20 million animals are being used for testing and are killed annually; about 15 million of them are used to test for medication and five million for other products. Reports have been generated to indicate that about 10 percent of these animals are not being administered with painkillers. The supporters of animal rights are pressurizing government agencies to inflict severe regulations on animal research. However, such emerging criticisms of painful experimentation on animals are coupled with an increasing concern over the cost it would have on the limitation of scientific progress (i.e. cures). Around the world, animals are utilized to test products ranging from shampoo to new cancer drugs. Each and every medication used by humans is first tested on the animals. Currently, questions have been raised about the ethics surrounding animal testing. As a result, several regulations have been put in place to evaluate and control the animals being used for testing purposes. These