Harlow

• Harlow's study - Aim

  • To test the learning theory by comparing attachments
• Harlow's study - Method

  • placed orphan monkeys with a wire and cloth 'mother' and recorded the time spent with each including during feeding and when stressed
• Harlow's study - Findings

  • preferred toweling mother even without food
  • became very anxious when scared if it wasnt there
  • explored more with toweling mother
• Harlow's study - Conclusion

  • monekys have an innate need for contact (more than food) to develop emotional security
• Harlow's later implications

  Maternally deprived monkeys became:

  • aggressive
  • timid
  • sexually abnormal
  • inadequate mothers
• (Harlow) + Supported/support from Lorenz

  • both studies found evidence for a critical period with negative consequences if missed
• (Harlow) - Ethical issues

  • many ethical issues with depriving and studying animals especially research with long term effects
• (Harlow) + Practical and theoretical value

  • helped social workers understand the risks of neglect and how to prevent it
  • developed theoretical understanding of mother-infant attachment