Avoidance Learning as a Psychological Criterion of Animal’s Capacity for Suffering

Wojciech Pisula; Klaudia Modlińska

doi:10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA.2025.S.05

Published: 2025-10-20

2025

Avoidance Learning as a Psychological Criterion of Animal’s Capacity for Suffering

Wojciech Pisula

, Klaudia Modlińska

Section: ARTICLES

https://doi.org/10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA.2025.S.05

Abstract

This article proposes a new criterion for assessing an animal’s capacity for suffering, focusing on psychological criteria, particularly avoidance learning. This criterion may allow for a more comprehensive assessment of suffering in various species and situations. The theory of integrative levels explains the development of avoidance behavior and presents the probable cognitive threshold for animal suffering. Animals capable of avoidance learning are more likely to suffer, as this behavior requires the ability to form associations between stimuli and actions and make predictions about future events, which may lead to aversive emotional states. The proposed criterion offers an objective way to assess suffering without relying on ambiguous terms like “consciousness” or “sentience,” providing a broader, more accurate evaluation method.

Keywords:

animal suffering , learning , passive avoidance , active avoidance

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Pisula, W., & Modlińska, K. (2025). Avoidance Learning as a Psychological Criterion of Animal’s Capacity for Suffering. Zoophilologica. Polish Journal of Animal Studies, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA.2025.S.05

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Wojciech Pisula

wojciech.pisula@wp.pl
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5777-0549

Affiliation:

Polish Academy of Sciences Poland

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Wojciech Pisula – Polish psychologist, professor at the Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences, chairman of the scientific board of this Institute (2011–2015). His field of interests include comparative psychology, animal behavior, sensation seeking, exploratory behavior of animals, response to novelty and adaptation to change. Author of numerous educational programs on animal psychology. Member of the National Committee for Ethics in Animal Experimentation of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education in 2005–2013, and 2015–2019. E-mail: wpisula@psych.pan.pl.

Klaudia Modlińska

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2161-9019

Affiliation:

Polish Academy of Sciences Poland

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Klaudia Modlińska – habilitated doctor of social sciences in the field of psychology. Associate professor at the Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences. Main scientific interests include comparative and evolutionary psychology, animal psychology, and ethology. Specializes in the psychology of feeding behavior and the influence of the environment on behavior. Author of numerous scientific publications of international reach. University lecturer in the field of animal research methodology. Head of the Animal Psychology Laboratory IP PAN. E-mail: kmodlinska@psych.pan.pl.

2025
Published: 2025-04-03

ISSN: 2719-2687

eISSN: 2451-3849

10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA

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Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego | University of Silesia Press

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Avoidance Learning as a Psychological Criterion of Animal’s Capacity for Suffering

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Keywords:

Wojciech Pisula

Klaudia Modlińska

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