Dr. Vance investigates the developmental and social impacts of chronic MDMA (ecstasy) exposure during adolescence using animal models. He administered high daily doses of MDMA to 30 juvenile squirrel monkeys housed in isolated, soundproof chambers for eight weeks. Following this period, the monkeys were placed in a communal enclosure with non-exposed peer monkeys. The MDMA-exposed monkeys demonstrated profound self-directed stereotypic behaviors, such as repetitive self-clasping and pacing, and completely failed to engage in social grooming. Consequently, they were ostracized and ignored by the rest of the troop.
To what extent are laboratory experiments on animals appropriate to investigate the developmental and social impacts of recreational drugs? You must make reference to the context in your answer.
Practise Edexcel A Level Psychology Content with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 1,059 questions covering Biological explanations of crime, Social explanations of crime, Cognitive and ethical interview techniques, Psychological formulation of offending, Cognitive-behavioural treatment for offenders, Biological treatment for offenders, Factors influencing eye-witness testimony, Factors influencing jury decision-making, Individual differences, and Developmental psychology, matched to the Edexcel A Level Psychology (9PS0) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
