The Journal of Animal Consciousness Vol 1, Issue 2 Vol 1 Issue 2 | Page 33

coping mechanisms such as freezing (Heller &

mutilated in adulthood. Indeed, early social context

LaPierre, 2012; Hill, 2015).

On the other hand,

parameters influence fundamental structures in

hyper-arousal states are dominated by active coping

behavioral regulation - for example, the

such as running away or flight (Heller & LaPierre,

hypnothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis

2012;

Adaptation requires that

(Bradshaw & Schoore, 2007). Research suggests

attention spontaneously flows in the direction it is

that repeated activation of the HPA axis and the

needed (Hill, 2015). Adaptive affect regulation is

associated elevation of endogenous corticosteroids

related to secure attachment and engenders tolerance

due to stress can impair gene expression involved in

and resiliency (Hill, 2015). However, when this is

neurogenesis and synaptogenesis (Bradshaw &

compromised due to shock and trauma the capacity

Schoore, 2007). Therefore these occurrences have

for affiliative behavior is considerably reduced

serious effects on the cognitive and affective

(Heller & LaPierre, 2012; Hill, 2015). Often these

regulatory functions (Bradshaw & Schoore, 2007).

states of shock and trauma lead to the inability of

Furthermore, cross-species studies show that early

experiential integration and result in maladaptive

rearing conditions affect hemispheric development

responses (Heller & LaPierre, 2012; Hill, 2015).

(Bradshaw &

These are considered decohered experiences and

behavior associated with the HPA axis increases

continual exposure results in disorganization of

right hemisphere dominance (Bradshaw & Schoore,

internal and external responses (Heller & LaPierre,

2007).

2012; Hill, 2015).

thought to be involved in attachment, emotion, stress

Hill, 2015).

Schore, 2007).

Neonatal social

This is significant as the right brain is

Experimentation on animals has been the

regulation and control of social behavior (Bradshaw

focus for understanding traumatic events and the

& Schoore, 2007). This suggests that attachment

effects on the bio-psycho-social-affective complex

trauma is embossed in the limbic system, HPA axis

(Brashwaw & Lindner, n.d.).

and right frontal lobe (Bradshaw & Schoore, 2007).

One of the most

ethically horrendous experiments was carried out by

Captive animals face a barage of trauma,

Harlow, Dodsworth and Harlow (1965) in the 1950s.

however, the effects are largely ignored unless they

Harlow et al., (1965) experimented on the effects of

are for research purposes. Indeed, not so long ago

maternal deprivation.

Mother-infant Macaque

children were thought to be unaffected by stressful

(Macaca mulatta) dyads were separated and the

situations only for them to resurface in adulthood as

effects were investigated to adulthood. Many of the

bio-psycho-socio-affect imbalances (Maddux &

animals separated prematurely from their mothers

Winstead, 2012).

were socially inadequate, unable to mate and self-

some studies suggesting that animals are affected by

In the animal world there are

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© The Society for Animal Consciousness 2016.

Issue 2, Vol 1, April 2016.