Incorporating animal agency into research design could improve behavioral and neuroscience research

What is it about?

The paper suggests that incorporating animal agency into research design could improve behavioral and neuroscience research. The authors argue that treating animals as passive objects in experiments can result in incomplete or inaccurate findings, as it ignores the animal's ability to make choices and exert control over its environment. By incorporating animal agency into research design, such as by providing animals with more control over their experimental conditions, researchers may be able to better understand the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying animal behavior. The paper also discusses some practical considerations and potential challenges associated with incorporating animal agency into research design.

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Photo by Andre Mouton on Unsplash

Photo by Andre Mouton on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Incorporating animal agency into research design is important because it can lead to more accurate and comprehensive understanding of animal behavior and cognition. Historically, animals have been treated as passive objects in many experimental settings, which can result in incomplete or inaccurate findings. By recognizing the agency of animals, researchers can gain insights into how animals make decisions, interact with their environment, and respond to different stimuli. This, in turn, can lead to a better understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms of behavior and cognition. Additionally, recognizing animal agency is important from an ethical perspective, as it respects animals as sentient beings capable of making choices and exerting control over their lives.

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