animal studies - harlow

• Harlow demonstrated the importance of contact comfort with rhesus monkeys and two ‘Iron Maidens’. The researchers found that when the monkeys were scared, irrespective of which wire monkey was dispensing milk, the baby monkeys would always seek comfort from the cloth-bound mother. This led to the conclusion that contact comfort was more important than food in the development of attachments
• Harlow also reported developmental issues associated with the infant monkeys, even those who had the option of choosing the cloth-bound mother. The researchers found that such monkeys were less skilled at mating, were aggressive towards their own children and would be socially reclusive. This also demonstrated the importance of a secure attachment to a primary attachment figure within the critical period i.e. the first 30 months of life.
• strength -

  Harlow’s research has significant practical value, especially in the design of zoos and the care of animals in shelters. His research demonstrated the importance of attachment figures and intellectual stimulation, alongside contact comfort, which means that zoos should ensure that animals have the opportunity to form such attachments in order to ensure healthy development.
• weakness -

  Despite ethical issues not detracting from the quality or utility of the research (in terms of reliability and validity), there were some significant ethical breaches. For example, long-term psychological harm was inflicted upon the monkeys, in the form of later difficulties mating and forming secure attachments, which Harlow most likely envisioned. In such cases, a cost-benefit analysis should be conducted to assess whether the ethical costs are smaller or larger than the benefits of an improved understanding of attachment.