Psychological Experiments With Frogs

Psychologists and animal rights activists have hotly debated the practice of using animals for experimental purposes. However, the use of animals in psychological research is a longstanding practice. Since the beginnings of the field of psychology, animals such as frogs have proved to be useful and effective learning tools. Studying the emotional reactions, sexual impulses and sensory stimuli of frogs, as well as subjecting the amphibians to psychological experiments such as pithing, has proved useful in the world of psychology.

  1. Landis Facial Expressions Study

    • In 1924, scientist and psychologist Carney Landis began his infamous facial expressions study. Selecting students at random, Dr. Landis sought to determine if facial expressions were unique to emotions. Drawing black lines across the faces of the students to record their facial expressions, Dr. Landis then subjected them to a battery of tests. Placing the students' hands in buckets full of wet frogs, Dr. Landis observed their changes in facial expressions by taking pictures of their reactions.

    Nussbaum Frog Experimentation Project

    • During the 1930's, scientist R.A. Nussbaum used frogs to research psychological sexual impulses. By observing the frogs in a heat cycle, Nussbaum recorded levels of sexual impulse. Later, Nussbaum reevaluated the impulses after castrating the frogs. Comparing the two sets of data, Nussbaum determined that frogs are capable of having secondary sets of sex glands, showing that even after castration the sexual impulses of a frog do not decrease.

    Yerkes Hearing in Frogs Experiment

    • Dr. Robert M. Yerkes attempted to prove that frogs are incapable of hearing by subjecting them to a variety of sensory stimuli. When Yerkes placed the frogs in boxes and randomly sounded an alarm, the frogs responded less frequently with psychological symptoms than when they were approached with rapid movements. In other words, sudden movements elicited stronger emotional and psychological reactions (i.e., the frogs demonstrated symptoms of stress and anxiety) than sounds. As a result, Yerkes concluded that frogs do not have the same auditory capabilities as higher form animals.

    Frog Pithing

    • Frog pithing is a controversial experimental process often used in anatomy classes. Using a knife to severe the spinal column and remove the brain, students observe live frogs for psychological reactions to the pain. Watching for reactions such as fighting to escape, simply giving up or playing dead, students record observations that are later evaluated for psychological content. Animal rights groups argue that this type of experimentation is cruel and abusive to the frogs because frogs have the capacity to feel and experience pain.