Harlow’s experiments on attachment in monkeys – Flashcards
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Harry Harlow
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An American psychologist who investigated factors influencing attachment using rhesus monkeys
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Aim of Harlow's research
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To find out whether provision of food or contact comfort is more important in the formation of infant-parent attachment
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Independent variable in Harlow's research
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Provision of food by either a wire or surrogate mother
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Dependent variable in Harlow's research
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Amount of contact time spent with the cloth and wire surrogate mothers
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Conclusion made by Harlow
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Contact comfort is more important than feeding in the formation of infant-mother attachment in monkeys
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Generalisation made by Harlow
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Contact comfort is likely to be a crucial factor in human infant-caregiver attachment
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Criticisms of Harlow's research
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-Caused long term harm as they would not be able to live a normal life after the experiment as they did not have the skills to form social relationships.
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Effects of 3 months in isolation
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Nearly unnoticed after 12 months
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Effects of 6 months in isolation
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More self-destructing behaviours, socially incompentent. After 12 months the monkey's behaviour was nearly as good as the control group
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Effects of 12 months in isolation
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Extremely socially impaired, self-destructive and only showing gradual signs of improvement when placed with normally reared monkeys.
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Social isolation effects on maternal behaviour
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Incompetent mother. Constantly avoiding baby, violent behaviour when baby approached for feeding.
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Privation
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Involves removing the opportunity to satisfy a need, in Harlow's experiment, the need for social contact.
