Harlow - Monkeys

• Aim

  • to investigate the nature of attachment on baby monkeys
• Method

  • 8 monkeys placed in cage with two mothers
  • Mothers either made of wire mesh with feeding bottle or made of cloth but did not contain bottle
• Results

  • spent most of their time cuddling with cloth covered mother and only used wire to feed
  • monkeys grew up and showed signs of social and emotional disturbance
• Conclusion

  • Harlow's monkey studies showed that attachment is formed through the provision of care, not just physical contact
• Evaluation

  • lab experiment, can't be generalised as were monkeys, ethical problems, lacks ecological validity as in lab