Harlow (AO1)

Question 1

What was the aim of Harlow’s study?

Answer 1

To investigate whether food or comfort is more important in the formation of attachment.

Question 2

What were the independent variables for Harlow’s study?

Answer 2

The two surrogate mothers: the wire mother that provided milk and the cloth mother that provided comfort.

Question 3

What were the dependent variables of Harlow’s study?

Answer 3

• How much time the baby rhesus’ spent with each surrogate mother
• Who the rhesus monkey went to when frightened to test who they preferred
• The long-term effects were recorded (sociability, relationship with offspring)

Question 4

What did Harlow find?

Answer 4

• The baby monkey spent more time with the cloth mother
• When frightened, the baby monkey preferred the cloth mother
• In the long-term, these monkeys had emotional damage such as being more timid, easily bullied and inadequate parents.

Question 5

What 4 long-term effects did the baby rhesus have?

Answer 5

Emotional damage, more timid, difficulty finding a mate and inadequacy in being a parent.

Question 6

What did Harlow conclude?

Answer 6

Contact comfort is the most important factor in forming an attachment.