Animal Studies of Attachment Flashcards
Lorenz
Lorenz demonstrated the concept of imprinting - this is where animals will attach to the first moving object or person they see directly after birth.
Lorenz Research
Lorenz showed that imprinting occurred in a clutch of goose eggs, where half attached to and followed Lorenz after seeing him as the first moving person after birth.
When must imprinting occuor
Imprinting/ the formation of an attachment must occur within the critical period of attachment development, which is usually the first 30 months of life.
What is a critical period
What happens if attachments are not formed before the critical period
attachments are not possible and the consequences of a failure to form an attachment
are irreversible
What is sexual imprinting
where animals will attach to and display sexual behaviours towards the first moving object or animal they see directly after birth
Lorenz - Sexual imprinting
Lorenz reported of a case of a peacock who was born surrounded by turtles, and so only desired to
mate with turtles in later life.
Harlow
Harlow demonstrated the
importance of contact comfort
with rhesus monkeys and two
‘Iron Maidens’
Harlow’s research
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.
Harlow’s Conclusion
This led to the conclusion that contact comfort was more important than food in the development of attachments!
Developmental issues
The researchers found that the
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.
