A01

• Lorenz's imprinting experiments with geese revealed a critical period for attachment, occurring shortly after birth. The baby geese that saw Lorenz as the first moving object would follow him. This imprinting influenced not only attachment to caregivers but also mate preferences in adulthood, called sexual imprinting.
• Harlow's research with rhesus monkeys emphasised the significance of contact comfort over nourishment in attachment. Rhesus monkeys preferred cloth-covered surrogate mothers for comfort, regardless of milk provision. However, those deprived of maternal contact suffered severe consequences, displaying aggression, social dysfunction, and maternal neglect later on in adulthood.
• Both Lorenz and Harlow highlighted the critical period for attachment formation in animals, emphasising its irreversibility after a certain point. Lorenz's findings extended to mate preferences, while Harlow's experiments highlight the profound impact of early maternal deprivation on social behaviour and reproductive success in monkeys. These studies demonstrate the importance of early caregiving experiences and the detrimental effects of deprivation during critical developmental periods.