Evaluation

• Evaluate counter evidence from animal studies

  • studies have shown that young animals don’t attach to those who feed them
  • Lorenz’s geese imprinted before they were fed and maintained attachment regardless who fed hem
  • harlow’s monkeys attached to soft surrogate in preference to a wire one that dispensed milk.
• evaluate counter evidence from human studies

  • feeding does not appear to be an important factor in humans
  • Schaffer and Emerson - many babies developed primary attachment to mothers even though other carers did most of the feeding
  • no primary drive involved
• evaluate ignores other factors

  • isabella et al 1989 - suggests quality of attachment is associated with factors like reciprocity and good interactional synchrony
  • studies have shown that best quality attachments are with carers who pick up infant signals and respond appropriately
  • if attachment developed purely because of feeding, there would be no purpose for complex interactions