animal studies of attachment-HARLOW

Question 1

What are the 6 Ao1 points you must know for animal studies into attachment specifically Harlow?

Answer 1

-Aim of the Study
-Procedure – Surrogate Mothers
-Findings – Preference for Comfort
-Conclusion – Comfort Over Food
-Long-Term Effects
-Critical Period

Question 2

What was the aim of Harlow’s study on attachment in monkeys?

Answer 2

To investigate whether infant monkeys form attachments based on food provision or comfort.

Question 3

What was Harlow’s procedure in his study with rhesus monkeys?

Answer 3

Baby monkeys were given two surrogate “mothers”—one made of wire that dispensed milk, and one covered in soft cloth that did not provide food.

Question 4

What did Harlow find about the monkeys’ attachment behaviour?

Answer 4

Monkeys spent more time with the cloth mother, seeking comfort from her, especially when frightened—regardless of which mother fed them.

Question 5

What did Harlow conclude about attachment?

Answer 5

Comfort and security are more important than food in forming attachments, challenging the learning theory of attachment.

Question 6

What were the long-term effects on monkeys deprived of real mothers?

Answer 6

They showed severe social and emotional problems as adults—aggression, difficulty mating, and neglect or abuse of their own offspring.

Question 7

What did Harlow identify as a critical period for attachment?

Answer 7

If monkeys were not exposed to a real mother figure within 90 days, they failed to form normal attachments and the damage was irreversible.