AO3 - Harlow's Study

• What is a confounding variable in Harlow's study?

  A variable that varies systematically with IV
• Why is the confounding variable a problem in Harlow's study?

  It reduces the validity of the findings
• What could explain the monkeys' preference for one mother over the other?

  Attractiveness of the mother's head
• What ethical concerns are raised by Harlow's study?

  Significant emotional distress to the monkeys
• What long-term implications did Harlow's study have on the monkeys?

  Severe implications for social and emotional development
• Why could Harlow's study not be conducted with humans?

  The harm caused was too significant
• What argument is made regarding the benefits of Harlow's study?

  Benefits outweigh the costs to the animals
• What is a key difference between humans and animals in attachment studies?

  Humans have free will and conscious decisions
• How do some animal attachment behaviors relate to humans?

  Some behaviors are mirrored in humans
• What did Harlow's findings suggest about attachment?

  Attachment is based on contact comfort, not feeding
• What was the aim of Lorenz's study?

  • Investigate imprinting in geese
• Describe the method used in Lorenz's study.

  • Separated gosling eggs into two groups
  • Half with mother, half in incubator
  • Observed who the hatched goslings followed
• What did Lorenz find about imprinting?

  Goslings followed the first moving object
• What research supports Lorenz's theory of imprinting?

  Chickens imprinting on rubber gloves
• What limitation was found in Lorenz's claim about imprinting?

  Chickens showed normal mating behavior later
• What are the applicability issues of animal studies to humans?

  • Humans differ from animals
  • Humans have free will
  • Behaviors governed by conscious decisions
• What similarities exist between Harlow's findings and other studies?

  Attachment not based on feeding, critical period
• What are the ethical issues raised by Harlow's study?

  • Significant harm to monkeys
  • Long-term emotional distress
  • Questionable justification for research
• What was the aim of Harlow's study?

  To show attachment is based on contact comfort
• How did Harlow measure attachment in monkeys?

  By observing time spent with each mother
• What critical period did Harlow identify for monkeys?

  90 days for normal development
• What were the findings regarding the monkeys' attachment preferences?

  Monkeys preferred the cloth-covered mother
• What confounding variable was present in Harlow's study?

  The heads of the artificial mothers were different
• What ethical issues arose from the harm caused to the monkeys?

  Long-term impact on their well-being
• Why is generalizability a concern in Harlow's study?

  Monkeys are not the same as human babies
• What is the conclusion of Harlow's study regarding attachment?

  Contact comfort is more important than feeding
• What is a major strength of Harlow’s study?

  Practical applications in understanding human attachment
• What did Harlow's findings highlight about infant care?

  Emotional comfort is more important than food
• How did Harlow's research influence child care practices?

  Improved care standards in hospitals and orphanages
• What real-world impact did Harlow's research have?

  • Improved standards of care for children
  • Shaped attachment-based interventions
  • Encouraged consistent, loving caregivers
• Which theory did Harlow’s work support over learning theory?

  Bowlby’s theory of attachment
• How did Harlow's findings strengthen Bowlby’s ideas?

  By validating the importance of a primary caregiver bond