Institutional transparency improves public perception of lab animal technicians and support for animal research

PloS One
Katelyn E MillsDaniel M Weary

Abstract

The use of animals in research is controversial and often takes place under a veil of secrecy. Lab animal technicians responsible for the care of animals at research institutions are sometimes described as performing 'dirty work' (i.e. professions that are viewed as morally tainted), and may be stigmatized by negative perceptions of their job. This study assessed if transparency affects public perceptions of lab animal technicians and support for animal research. Participants (n = 550) were randomly assigned to one of six scenarios (using a 3x2 design) that described identical research varying only the transparency of the facility (low, high) and the species used (mice, dogs, cows). Participants provided Likert-type and open-ended responses to questions about the personal characteristics (warmth, competence) of a hypothetical lab technician 'Cathy' and their support for the described research. Quantitative analysis showed participants in the low-transparency condition perceived Cathy to be less warm and were less supportive of the research regardless of animal species. Qualitative responses varied greatly, with some participants expressing support for both Cathy and the research. These results suggest that increasing transparen...Continue Reading

References

Jun 29, 2005·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·Linda J SkitkaEdward G Sargis
Jan 6, 2006·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·Charles M JuddYoshihisa Kashima
Dec 26, 2006·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Susan T FiskePeter Glick
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Oct 11, 2012·Public Understanding of Science·Tora Holmberg, Malin Ideland
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Jan 1, 2011·Perspectives on Psychological Science : a Journal of the Association for Psychological Science·Michael BuhrmesterSamuel D Gosling
Jan 1, 2014·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Elisabeth H Ormandy, Catherine A Schuppli
Jun 28, 2016·PloS One·Katelyn E MillsMarina A G von Keyserlingk

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Citations

Apr 14, 2020·Alternatives to Laboratory Animals : ATLA·Vanessa Carli Bones, Carla Forte Maiolino Molento
Dec 2, 2021·PloS One·Michael W Brunt, Daniel M Weary

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Software Mentioned

MTurk
Statistical Analysis System ( SAS )
Qualtrics

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