Evaluation On Both Harlow And Lorenz

• WEAKNESS

  • GENERALISATION.

  The generalisation of animal behaviour to human psychology is problematic.

  • Human and animals have very different biology and humans have various social social and cultural experiences that inform their behaviour.

  Even Harlow findings in primates, who are closer genetically to humans than Loren's birds, should not automatically be thought to apply to humans.
• STRENGTH

  Harlow findings on contact comfort have been highly influential;

  • Bowlby argued similar to Macaques, infants crave comfort from their mother's attempting to form a monotropic relationship.

  If this fails, then Bowlby claims that human infant will grow into adult with poor socialisation, similar to the monkeys without a cloth mother.
• STRENGTH/WEAKNESS - LORENZ

  Lorenz's findings on the critical period in geese have been highly influential;

  • Bowlby argued that there is a similar critical period for humans which is 6 to 30 months.
  • If attachment does not form it results in permanent social problems.

  However, showing the difficulty of applying animal research to humans, later research on orphans unlike with geese.

  • This period is sensitive, not critical, important but later care can help with recovery.
• STRENGTH - LORENZ and HARLOW

  PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  Knowledge initially gained from these studies and later developed by Bowlby has been applied to early childcare.

  For example; after birth, immediate physical contact between the mother and babies is now encouraged and social service workers investigate cases of infant neglect as it has long-term effect.
• HARLOW - WEAKNESS

  Ethical Implication

  Harlow is criticised on the harm he caused to the monkeys as it cused long term damage to them.

  Cost-Benefit Analysis - More benefit to million of humans resulting in justification of the research.