Animal Studies

Question 1

Imprinting

Answer 1

An innate readiness to develop a strong bond with the mother, which takes place during a specific time in development

Question 2

Sexual Imprinting

Answer 2

Imprinting can affect adult mate preferences. Animals will choose to mate with the same kind of object upon which they were imprinted

Question 3

Lorenz (1935): Experiment Information

Answer 3

• Aim: To investigate infant attachment geese
• IV: 1) Chick raised from birth by mother/ 2) Chick raised from birth by Lorenz
• DV: Following mother or Lorenz

Question 4

Lorenz (1935): Results & Conclusion

Answer 4

• Chicks always follow the first adult they saw at birth. This effect seemed permanent, and those he raised chose to mate with his boots
• There’s a critical period just after birth when infants imprint on the first adult they come into contact with

Question 5

Harlow (1959): Experiment Information

Answer 5

• Aim: To investigate infant attachment in Rhesus monkeys
• IV: Food on the wire mother (4 monkeys) / Food on the cloth mother (4 monkeys) / Stranger anxiety & Secure base (robot, toys)
• DV: Time spent with each mother, secure base behaviour and mother choice

Question 6

Harlow (1959): Results & Conclusion

Answer 6

• All monkeys spent much longer with cloth mother
• All monkeys used cloth mother for comfort and explored new toys more with the cloth mother in the room
• Infants seek comfort over food
• Critical period of attachment - lack of mother resulted in abnormal behaviour and recovery is only possible if mother attachment happens in the first 3 months