I have an open ended psychology paper to write for a history of psychology course. I'd like to do some research of the contributions of animals to psychology, and the changes in the ideas about animal/human relations. Can anyone suggest any research ideas?

-- Jenni Woodcock (jenni_woodcock@hotmail.com), February 19, 2002

Answers

Ivan Pavlov, of course, used animals in his research throughout the first decade of the 20th century. Though it was highly influential for early comparative psychologists, esp. Yerkes and Watson, Pavlov always considered himself to be a physiologist.

-- Christopher Green (christo@yorku.ca), February 19, 2002.

It sounds like you're not particularly interested in the extensive tradition of animal psychology/comparative psychology. You might find it interesting to explore some of the history of the animal welfare movement and the ethics of research with animals--for which you can easily find sources. Another interesting direction would be to examine the increased interest in companion animals. There is one recent edited book Companion animals and us: exploring the relationships between people and pets Anthony L Podberscek; Elizabeth S Paul; James Serpell 2000 New York: Cambridge University Press You might check the PsycInfo data base to see on what you can find on therapeutic uses of companion animals in hospitals and long-term care institutions. I myself spend a lot of time around "working dogs" (for the blind and disabled), and there is considerable literature on the relationship between persons with disabilities and their animals. You should be able to define an interesting topic!

-- Hendrika Vande Kemp (hendrika@earthlink.net), February 20, 2002.

Hi Jenni, perhaps the greatest contribution made by any animal to psychology was made by the Clever Hans, the calculating horse. This was a pivotal episode in psychology for many people involved in the search for the "missing link," on the mental continum that is. Changes in our approach to animals followed Clever Hans's case. Good luck, David

-- david clark (doclark@yorku.ca), February 25, 2002.