Harlow’s Monkey Study Flashcards
Describe Harlow’s Monkey Study
- Reared 16 baby monkeys using two model ‘mothers’: a plain-wire model ‘mother’ that dispensed milk and a cloth-covered ‘mother’ that didn’t
- The time spent with each ‘mother’ was recorded
Describe Harlow’s Findings
- The monkeys favoured the cloth-covered mother, spending more time with it and running to it to seek comfort when frightened (e.g. by a noisy mechanical toy)
- He concluded that ’contact comfort’ was more important than food in terms of attachment
How did being maternally deprived affect the monkeys as adults?
They were less social and more aggressive. They also lacked maternal instincts, neglecting their young and some attacking and even killing them.
What is the critical period Harlow identified for monkeys?
90 days
What is the most evident ethical issue involved with Harlow’s Research?
Protection from harm
Why is Harlow’s Research more generalisable to humans that other animal findings?
As monkeys are more biologically similar to humans
What practical applications has Harlow’s Research had?
- It has supported change in maternity wards, hospitals and children’s homes to ensure that children’s emotional needs are met and they aren’t deprived of ‘contact comfort’
- It has encouraged changes in zoos to ensure animals aren’t deprived of maternal care
What is a strength of Harlow’s methodology?
His research was conducted in a controlled, laboratory environment, meaning he was able to maintain control over potential extraneous variables. This ensures the internal validity of his research and allows a cause-and-affect relationship to be established.
Why can Harlow’s use of a laboratory environment be criticised?
It is an artificial setting, meaning the behaviour exhibited by the monkeys may not be reflective of how they would act in a real-life scenario
