attachment

Question 1

what experiment did Lorenz conduct to implicate animal studies on attachment?
(aim, method, results, conclusion)

Answer 1

aim: testing how goslings imprint and form an attachment to someone
method: took a clutch of eggs from a goose to incubate while keeping the rest under observation with their mother
results: once goslings hatched, it was found that they followed the first thing they saw and heard (this meant Lorenz’ batch followed him and the rest followed their biological mother). to ensure imprinting, he mixed goslings in upturned box to see who they would follow when released- Lorenz’ ducks followed him and the rest followed their biological mother
conclusion: when attaching during the critical period of 13-16 hours, imprinting will take place where the goslings will first form their primary attachment

Question 2

what are some implications of Lorenz’ study?

Answer 2

-goslings imprinted irreversibly early in life, suggests operating study during critical period so attachment forms
-research suggests organisms have biological drive to form attachments (imprinting)
-goslings innately follow moving objects after hatching which was adapted since they have mobility when attached- human babies are immobile so they are unable to form attachment straight away

Question 3

what experiment did Harlow conduct to implicate animal studies on attachment?
(aim, method, results, conclusion)

Answer 3

aim: investigate time spent with wire and cloth mother
method: monkey is scared and frightened- investigated who they spend time with to calm down
monkey also placed in a different environment- noted how comfortable they are when exploring the environment
results: when scared, the monkey instantly goes to the cloth mother for comfort and support over the wire mother for food. as well as this, when put in a new environment, the monkey feels most comforted and willing to explore when cloth mother is present
conclusion: monkey willing to seek refuge for comfort over food

Question 4

what were some long term effects of Harlow’s unethical study to the monkeys?

Answer 4

-infant monkeys reared in social (non-isolated) environments went onto develop as healthy adults
- isolated monkeys displayed dysfunctional adult behaviour (timid, unpredictable with other monkeys, difficulty mating., females inadequate mothers)

Question 5

what are some evaluation points into the study of animals into attachment?

Answer 5

A) humans and monkeys are similar: Green found that all mammals have the same brain structure- only difference is size and number of connections
A) practical applications: implications for childcare
C) results can’t be generalised to humans: critical and sensitive period are different in humans as humans are more complex
C) unethical: experiment harms animals and can cause dysfunctional adult behaviour later in their lives