Action research, at its core, is a transformative methodology that seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice by actively involving participants in the research process. It evolved out of disillusionment with the traditional positivist research model (Brydon-Miller, 1997) and emp sizes collaboration, empowerment, and real-world social change. Within this realm, Participatory Action Research (PAR) stands out, striving to holistically comprehend social situations and instigate change through collaboration between researchers, participants, and communities (Cornish et al., 2023). PAR has been a useful tool for addressing issues of systemic inequalities and empowering marginalized communities, such as during the U.S. Civil Rights Movement and facilitating mental health programs for Australian Aboriginals (Tsey et al., 2004).
PAR’s steadfast commitment to honoring diverse ways of knowing, coupled with its rejection of prioritizing the researcher over participants, prompts a profound question: Can PAR extend beyond human entities?
Historically, animal subjugation has long-been justified through science and Judeo-Christian decrees that argue for the absolute difference between humans and other creatures. These divisions often hinge on three primary contentions: the impossibility of intersubjectivity, lack of subjectivity, and absence of spoken language (Merskin, 2010). It is worth noting that these same arguments maintained grounds for the mistreatment of indigenous and mentally handicapped people (2004). The assumption of human superiority has driven much of our scientific inquiry. However, trans-species psychology challenges these narratives, asserting that animals, like humans, share commonalities in cognition and emotion conserved through evolution that evinces their sentience. It explores the psychological experiences, behaviors, and needs of animals beyond traditional behaviorism and considers them as individuals with subjective lives and emotions (Bradshaw, 2010). The shift in our scientific understanding and acceptance of animals as complex beings akin to ourselves is evident in contemporary zoos, which now recognize the psychological needs of animals. This paradigm restructuring challenges the ethical implications of poor animal welfare under human guardianship and underscores that animals deserve a place in the discourse on social change.
Trans-species psychology, coupled with PAR, provides a potential avenue to amplify the voices of animals (Merskin, 2010). However, implementing PAR necessitates adapting human-centric methodologies to accommodate the unique characteristics, behaviors, and communication methods of different species. Modern research is gradually acknowledging that animals possess unique cultural and contextual aspects to their communication that are not easily translatable into human terms. Many species, especially highly social animals like dolphins and primates, exhibit complex communication systems specific to their species. Attempting to interpret their behavior solely through an anthropocentric lens will inevitably distort our understanding. The language barrier between humans and other animals is a prominent challenge, and this is where ethology becomes fundamental to the PAR approach (Bradshaw, 2010).
Ethology is the study of animal behavior with a particular focus on the observation and analysis of how animals interact with each other and their environment (Immelmann, 1980). It has already enriched our understanding of the social lives of species such as chimpanzees through the work of Jane Goodall. Keen and immersive observation of animal behaviors, social structures, and communication methods in natural environments must occur to grasp the intricacies of animal communities. Collaboration with experts and advocates, including animal caretakers with extensive field experience, will contribute to project insights. Innovative technologies, such as touchscreens for interactive communication, have shown promise and may be further instrumental in a PAR approach. Ethical considerations, rooted in respecting animal autonomy and natural behaviors, underpin the entire PAR process and evaluation metrics would diverge from typical human criteria to focus on behavioral changes and improved well-being. In this way, PAR on animals offers a novel avenue to deepen our understanding, enhance their welfare, and contribute to conservation efforts.
While the information within this blog may seem “crazy” or “over-anthropomorphizing,” PAR research remains open to equalizing all life on Earth. A reductionist science that draws distinct lines between species is complicit in the destruction of the natural world (Merskin, 2010, p.153). Animals having poor welfare under human guardianship does not bode well for the future of our world, as it reflects a continued collective passivity and apathy towards fellow organisms and environments. Indifference is a luxury we cannot afford. As our history unfolds in the Anthropocene era, marked by humanity’s profound influence on the planet since the Industrial Revolution (Rafferty, 2020), adopting a new mode of thinking about the creatures we share Earth with becomes imperative for our continued existence as a species.
Citations
Bradshaw, G. (2010). You see me, but do you hear me? The science and sensibility of trans-species dialogue. Feminism & Psychology, 20(3), 407-419. https://doi-org.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/10.1177/0959353510368285
Brydon-Miller, M. (1997). Participatory Action Research: Psychology and Social Change. Journal of Social Issues, 53(4). 657-666.
Cornish, F., Breton, N., Moreno-Tabarez, U. et al. (2023) Participatory action research. Nat Rev Methods Primers 3,34 . https://doi.org/10.1038/s43586-023-00214-1
Immelmann, K. (1980). Introduction to ethology. In Springer eBooks. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1054-9
Merskin, D. (2010). Hearing voices: The promise of participatory action research for animals. Action Research, 9(2), 144–161. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476750310388050
Rafferty, J. P. (2020, March 28). Anthropocene Epoch | Definition & Evidence. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved September 2, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/science/Anthropocene-Epoch
Tsey, K., Patterson, D., Whiteside, M., Baird, L., Baird, B. C., & Tsey, K. (2004). A microanalysis of a participatory action research process with a rural Aboriginal men’s health group. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 10(1), 64. https://doi.org/10.1071/py04009
at can be gained through being on the front lines of a pressing social concern. This iterative cycle of inquiry and reflection (Kolk, n.d.) allows us to—to paraphrase Paulo Friere, author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed (1970/1993)—both educate, and be educated by, the very people we study (Brydon-Miller, 1997). At the core of this approach is the fundamental belief that authentic knowledge cannot be generated without the participation and perspective of the communities investigated.