3.2: Harry Harlow (1959) - Even baby monkeys need comfort more than food

Question 1

What was the aim of Harlow’s study of attachment?

Answer 1

The aim of Harlow's study of attachment was to investigate whether:
1. Food
Or,
2. Comfort
was more important in forming a bond

Question 2

What was the method and procedure of Harlow’s study of attachment?

Answer 2

The method and procedure of Harlow’s study of attachment was that 2 types of surrogate mother were constructed:

1. A harsh ‘wire mother’
2. A soft ‘towelling mother’

Question 3

The method and procedure of Harlow’s study of attachment was that 2 types of surrogate mother were constructed - A harsh ‘wire mother’ and a soft ‘towelling mother.’
How many baby monkeys were used?

Answer 3

16 baby monkeys were used

Question 4

The method and procedure of Harlow’s study of attachment was that 2 types of surrogate mother were constructed - A harsh ‘wire mother’ and a soft ‘towelling mother.’
16 baby monkeys were used, how?

Answer 4

16 baby monkeys were used, 4 in each of 4 conditions:

1. A cage containing a wire mother producing milk and a towelling mother producing no milk
2. A cage containing a wire mother producing no milk and a towelling mother producing milk
3. A cage containing a wire mother producing milk
4. A cage containing a towelling mother producing milk

Question 5

The method and procedure of Harlow’s study of attachment was that 2 types of surrogate mother were constructed - A harsh ‘wire mother’ and a soft ‘towelling mother.’
16 baby monkeys were used, 4 in each of 4 conditions - A cage containing a wire mother producing milk and a towelling mother producing no milk, a cage containing a wire mother producing no milk and a towelling mother producing milk, a cage containing a wire mother producing milk and a cage containing a towelling mother producing milk.
What was recorded?

Answer 5

1. The amount of time spent with each mother
   ,as well as
2. Feeding time
   ,was recorded

Question 6

The method and procedure of Harlow’s study of attachment was that 2 types of surrogate mother were constructed - A harsh ‘wire mother’ and a soft ‘towelling mother.’
16 baby monkeys were used, 4 in each of 4 conditions - A cage containing a wire mother producing milk and a towelling mother producing no milk, a cage containing a wire mother producing no milk and a towelling mother producing milk, a cage containing a wire mother producing milk and a cage containing a towelling mother producing milk.
The amount of time spent with each mother, as well as feeding time, was recorded.
What happened to test for mother preference during stress?

Answer 6

The monkeys were frightened with a loud noise to test for mother preference during stress

Question 7

The method and procedure of Harlow’s study of attachment was that 2 types of surrogate mother were constructed - A harsh ‘wire mother’ and a soft ‘towelling mother.’
16 baby monkeys were used, 4 in each of 4 conditions - A cage containing a wire mother producing milk and a towelling mother producing no milk, a cage containing a wire mother producing no milk and a towelling mother producing milk, a cage containing a wire mother producing milk and a cage containing a towelling mother producing milk.
The amount of time spent with each mother, as well as feeding time, was recorded.
The monkeys were frightened with a loud noise to test for mother preference during stress.
A larger cage was also used to do what?

Answer 7

A larger cage was also used to test the monkeys’ degree of exploration

Question 8

The are the findings of Harlow’s study of attachment?

Answer 8

The findings of Harlow’s study of attachment are that when given a choice of surrogate mothers, the monkeys preferred contact with the towelling mother

Question 9

The findings of Harlow’s study of attachment are that when given a choice of surrogate mothers, the monkeys preferred contact with the towelling mother, regardless of what?

Answer 9

The findings of Harlow’s study of attachment are that when given a choice of surrogate mothers, the monkeys preferred contact with the towelling mother, regardless of whether she produced milk

Question 10

The findings of Harlow’s study of attachment are that when given a choice of surrogate mothers, the monkeys preferred contact with the towelling mother, regardless of whether she produced milk.
They even did what, while still clinging to the towelling mother?

Answer 10

They even stretched across to the wire mother to feed while still clinging to the towelling mother

Question 11

The findings of Harlow’s study of attachment are that:
1. When given a choice of surrogate mothers, the monkeys preferred contact with the towelling mother, regardless of whether she produced milk.
They even stretched across to the wire mother to feed while still clinging to the towelling mother.
2. What did monkeys with only a wire surrogate have?

Answer 11

The findings of Harlow’s study of attachment are that monkeys with only a wire surrogate had diarrhoea

Question 12

The findings of Harlow’s study of attachment are that:
1. When given a choice of surrogate mothers, the monkeys preferred contact with the towelling mother, regardless of whether she produced milk.
They even stretched across to the wire mother to feed while still clinging to the towelling mother.
2. Monkeys with only a wire surrogate had diarrhoea, a sign of what?

Answer 12

The findings of Harlow’s study of attachment are that monkeys with only a wire surrogate had diarrhoea, a sign of stress

Question 13

The findings of Harlow’s study of attachment are that:
1. When given a choice of surrogate mothers, the monkeys preferred contact with the towelling mother, regardless of whether she produced milk.
They even stretched across to the wire mother to feed while still clinging to the towelling mother.
2. Monkeys with only a wire surrogate had diarrhoea, a sign of stress.
3. When frightened by a loud noise, monkeys clung to the towelling mother in conditions where she was what?

Answer 13

The findings of Harlow’s study of attachment are that when frightened by a loud noise, monkeys clung to the towelling mother in conditions where she was available

Question 14

The findings of Harlow’s study of attachment are that:
1. When given a choice of surrogate mothers, the monkeys preferred contact with the towelling mother, regardless of whether she produced milk.
They even stretched across to the wire mother to feed while still clinging to the towelling mother.
2. Monkeys with only a wire surrogate had diarrhoea, a sign of stress.
3. When frightened by a loud noise, monkeys clung to the towelling mother in conditions where she was available, regardless of if she did what?

Answer 14

The findings of Harlow’s study of attachment are that when frightened by a loud noise, monkeys clung to the towelling mother in conditions where she was available, regardless of if she dispensed milk

Question 15

The findings of Harlow’s study of attachment are that:
1. When given a choice of surrogate mothers, the monkeys preferred contact with the towelling mother, regardless of whether she produced milk.
They even stretched across to the wire mother to feed while still clinging to the towelling mother.
2. Monkeys with only a wire surrogate had diarrhoea, a sign of stress.
3. When frightened by a loud noise, monkeys clung to the towelling mother in conditions where she was available, regardless of if she dispensed milk.
What does this show?

Answer 15

This shows that ‘contact comfort’ was of more importance to the monkeys than food when it came to attachment behaviour

Question 16

The findings of Harlow’s study of attachment are that:
1. When given a choice of surrogate mothers, the monkeys preferred contact with the towelling mother, regardless of whether she produced milk.
They even stretched across to the wire mother to feed while still clinging to the towelling mother.
2. Monkeys with only a wire surrogate had diarrhoea, a sign of stress.
3. When frightened by a loud noise, monkeys clung to the towelling mother in conditions where she was available, regardless of if she dispensed milk.
This shows that ‘contact comfort’ was of more importance to the monkeys than food when it came to attachment behaviour.
4. In the larger cage conditions, what did the monkeys with towelling mothers do?

Answer 16

The findings of Harlow’s study of attachment are that in the larger cage conditions, the monkeys with towelling mothers:

1. Explored more
2. Visited their surrogate mother more often

Question 17

What are the conclusions of Harlow’s study of attachment?

Answer 17

The conclusions of Harlow’s study of attachment are that Rhesus monkeys have an innate, unlearned need for contact comfort

Question 18

The conclusions of Harlow’s study of attachment are that Rhesus monkeys have an innate, unlearned need for contact comfort, suggesting what?

Answer 18

The conclusions of Harlow’s study of attachment are that Rhesus monkeys have an innate, unlearned need for contact comfort, suggesting that attachment concerns:
1. Emotional security
more than
2. Food

Question 19

The conclusions of Harlow’s study of attachment are that:

1. Rhesus monkeys have an innate, unlearned need for contact comfort, suggesting that attachment concerns emotional security more than food.
2. What is contact comfort associated with?

Answer 19

Contact comfort is associated with:

1. Lower levels of stress
2. A willingness to explore

Question 20

The conclusions of Harlow’s study of attachment are that:

1. Rhesus monkeys have an innate, unlearned need for contact comfort, suggesting that attachment concerns emotional security more than food.
2. Contact comfort is associated with lower levels of stress and a willingness to explore, indicating what?

Answer 20

Contact comfort is associated with:
1. Lower levels of stress
2. A willingness to explore
,indicated emotional security

Question 21

Harlow also followed up the monkeys who had been what into adulthood?

Answer 21

Harlow also followed up the monkeys who had been deprived of a real mother into adulthood

Question 22

Harlow also followed up the monkeys who had been deprived of a real mother into adulthood to see what?

Answer 22

Harlow also followed up the monkeys who had been deprived of a real mother into adulthood to see if early maternal deprivation had a permanent effect

Question 23

Harlow also followed up the monkeys who had been deprived of a real mother into adulthood to see if early maternal deprivation had a permanent effect.
What did Harlow find?

Answer 23

Harlow found that the monkeys reared with only a wire mother were the most dysfunctional

Question 24

Harlow also followed up the monkeys who had been deprived of a real mother into adulthood to see if early maternal deprivation had a permanent effect.
Harlow found that the monkeys reared with only a wire mother were the most dysfunctional, however even those reared with what did not develop normal social behaviour?

Answer 24

Harlow found that:
1. The monkeys reared with only a wire mother were the most dysfunctional
,however
2. Even those reared with a soft toy as a substitute did not develop normal social behaviour

Question 25

Harlow also followed up the monkeys who had been deprived of a real mother into adulthood to see if early maternal deprivation had a permanent effect.
Harlow found that the monkeys reared with only a wire mother were the most dysfunctional, however even those reared with a soft toy as a substitute did not develop normal social behaviour.
They were what than other monkeys?

Answer 25

They were:
1. More aggressive
2. Less sociable
than other monkeys

Question 26

Harlow also followed up the monkeys who had been deprived of a real mother into adulthood to see if early maternal deprivation had a permanent effect.
Harlow found that the monkeys reared with only a wire mother were the most dysfunctional, however even those reared with a soft toy as a substitute did not develop normal social behaviour.
They were more aggressive and less sociable than other monkeys and they did what than is typical for monkeys?

Answer 26

They:

1. Were more aggressive and less sociable than other monkeys
2. Bred less often than is typical for monkeys

Question 27

Harlow also followed up the monkeys who had been deprived of a real mother into adulthood to see if early maternal deprivation had a permanent effect.
Harlow found that the monkeys reared with only a wire mother were the most dysfunctional, however even those reared with a soft toy as a substitute did not develop normal social behaviour.
They were more aggressive and less sociable than other monkeys and they bred less often than is typical for monkeys, being what?

Answer 27

They:

1. Were more aggressive and less sociable than other monkeys
2. Bred less often than is typical for monkeys, being unskilled at mating

Question 28

Harlow also followed up the monkeys who had been deprived of a real mother into adulthood to see if early maternal deprivation had a permanent effect.
Harlow found that the monkeys reared with only a wire mother were the most dysfunctional, however even those reared with a soft toy as a substitute did not develop normal social behaviour.
They were more aggressive and less sociable than other monkeys and they bred less often than is typical for monkeys, being unskilled at mating.
As mothers, what did some of the deprived monkeys do?

Answer 28

As mothers, some of the deprived monkeys neglected their young

Question 29

Harlow also followed up the monkeys who had been deprived of a real mother into adulthood to see if early maternal deprivation had a permanent effect.
Harlow found that the monkeys reared with only a wire mother were the most dysfunctional, however even those reared with a soft toy as a substitute did not develop normal social behaviour.
They were more aggressive and less sociable than other monkeys and they bred less often than is typical for monkeys, being unskilled at mating.
As mothers, some of the deprived monkeys neglected their young and others did what, even doing what in some cases?

Answer 29

As mothers:

1. Some of the deprived monkeys neglected their young
2. Others attacked their children, even killing them in some cases

Question 30

What is the evaluation of Harlow’s study of attachment?

Answer 30

The evaluation of Harlow’s study of attachment is that interestingly, over time, Harlow publicly distanced himself from the work of:

1. Bowlby
2. Ainsworth

Question 31

The evaluation of Harlow’s study of attachment is that interestingly, over time, Harlow publicly distanced himself from the work of Bowlby and Ainsworth, as well as what?

Answer 31

The evaluation of Harlow’s study of attachment is that interestingly, over time, Harlow publicly distanced himself from
1. The work of Bowlby and Ainsworth
,as well as
2. Lorenz’s views on imprinting

Question 32

The evaluation of Harlow’s study of attachment is that interestingly, over time, Harlow publicly distanced himself from the work of Bowlby and Ainsworth, as well as Lorenz’s views on imprinting.
Harlow especially did not believe what?

Answer 32

Harlow especially did not believe that his work supported Bowlby’s belief of a child’s innate need for mother love

Question 33

AO3:

A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that it lacks what?

Answer 33

A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that it lacks generalisability

Question 34

AO3:

A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that it lacks generalisability, why?

Answer 34

A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that it lacks generalisability, because it uses monkeys

Question 35

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that it lacks generalisability, because it uses monkeys, that are not what?

Answer 35

A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that it lacks generalisability, because it uses monkeys, that are not representative of humans

Question 36

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that it lacks generalisability, because it uses monkeys, that are not representative of humans.
What might be different?

Answer 36

The attachment with humans might be different

Question 37

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that it lacks generalisability, because it uses monkeys, that are not representative of humans.
The attachment with humans might be different.
Therefore, we shouldn’t do what?

Answer 37

Therefore, we shouldn’t generalise findings onto human attachment

Question 38

AO3:

A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that there are ethical issues involving what?

Answer 38

A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that there are ethical issues involving:

1. The separation of baby monkeys
2. The stress caused to them

Question 39

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that there are ethical issues involving the separation of baby monkeys and the stress caused to them.
The baby monkeys suffered greatly, because separating them from their mothers causes stress (which goes against what)?

Answer 39

The baby monkeys suffered greatly, because separating them from their mothers causes stress (which goes against the ethical guideline of protection from harm)

Question 40

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that there are ethical issues involving the separation of baby monkeys and the stress caused to them.
The baby monkeys suffered greatly, because separating them from their mothers causes stress (which goes against the ethical guideline of protection from harm), but they also suffered long-term harm, why?

Answer 40

The baby monkeys:
1. Suffered greatly, because separating them from their mothers causes stress (which goes against the ethical guideline of protection from harm)
,but they also
2. Suffered long-term harm, because the effects carried on into their adulthood

Question 41

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that there are ethical issues involving the separation of baby monkeys and the stress caused to them.
The baby monkeys suffered greatly, because separating them from their mothers causes stress (which goes against the ethical guideline of protection from harm), but they also suffered long-term harm, because the effects carried on into their adulthood.
Example

Answer 41

For example:

1. The monkeys showed aggressive behaviour
2. Some monkeys even killed their babies

Question 42

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that there are ethical issues involving the separation of baby monkeys and the stress caused to them.
The baby monkeys suffered greatly, because separating them from their mothers causes stress (which goes against the ethical guideline of protection from harm), but they also suffered long-term harm, because the effects carried on into their adulthood.
For example, the monkeys showed aggressive behaviour and some monkeys even killed their babies.
However, monkeys could be considered what to generalise the results to us?

Answer 42

Monkeys could be considered similar enough to humans to generalise the results to us

Question 43

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that there are ethical issues involving the separation of baby monkeys and the stress caused to them.
The baby monkeys suffered greatly, because separating them from their mothers causes stress (which goes against the ethical guideline of protection from harm), but they also suffered long-term harm, because the effects carried on into their adulthood.
For example, the monkeys showed aggressive behaviour and some monkeys even killed their babies.
However, monkeys could be considered similar enough to humans to generalise the results to us.
This therefore does what?

Answer 43

This therefore justifies the ‘cost’

Question 44

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that there are ethical issues involving the separation of baby monkeys and the stress caused to them.
The baby monkeys suffered greatly, because separating them from their mothers causes stress (which goes against the ethical guideline of protection from harm), but they also suffered long-term harm, because the effects carried on into their adulthood.
For example, the monkeys showed aggressive behaviour and some monkeys even killed their babies.
However, monkeys could be considered similar enough to humans to generalise the results to us.
This therefore justifies the ‘cost,’ why?

Answer 44

This therefore justifies the ‘cost,’ because we have learnt a lot about attachment from it

Question 45

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that there are ethical issues involving the separation of baby monkeys and the stress caused to them.
The baby monkeys suffered greatly, because separating them from their mothers causes stress (which goes against the ethical guideline of protection from harm), but they also suffered long-term harm, because the effects carried on into their adulthood.
For example, the monkeys showed aggressive behaviour and some monkeys even killed their babies.
However, monkeys could be considered similar enough to humans to generalise the results to us.
This therefore justifies the ‘cost,’ because we have learnt a lot about attachment from it.
Example

Answer 45

For example, comfort is:

1. Key
2. Very important for individuals

Question 46

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that there are ethical issues involving the separation of baby monkeys and the stress caused to them.
The baby monkeys suffered greatly, because separating them from their mothers causes stress (which goes against the ethical guideline of protection from harm), but they also suffered long-term harm, because the effects carried on into their adulthood.
For example, the monkeys showed aggressive behaviour and some monkeys even killed their babies.
However, monkeys could be considered similar enough to humans to generalise the results to us.
This therefore justifies the ‘cost,’ because we have learnt a lot about attachment from it.
For example, comfort is key and very important for individuals.
How did this help in improving care for humans?

Answer 46

This helped in improving care for humans, because it helped with raising children

Question 47

AO3:

A strength of Harlow’s study of attachment is what use in zoos?

Answer 47

A strength of Harlow’s study of attachment is practical use in zoos

Question 48

AO3:
A strength of Harlow’s study of attachment is practical use in zoos.
How can the study be applied to real life situations?

Answer 48

The study can be applied to real life situations, because of the importance in the care of captive monkeys

Question 49

AO3:
A strength of Harlow’s study of attachment is practical use in zoos.
The study can be applied to real life situations, because of the importance in the care of captive monkeys.
What do we now understand?

Answer 49

We now understand the importance of proper attachment figures for baby monkeys

Question 50

AO3:
A strength of Harlow’s study of attachment is practical use in zoos.
The study can be applied to real life situations, because of the importance in the care of captive monkeys.
We now understand the importance of proper attachment figures for baby monkeys, therefore what can we now do?

Answer 50

We now understand the importance of proper attachment figures for baby monkeys, therefore we can care more appropriately for them in zoos

Question 51

AO3:

A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that is lacked control, why?

Answer 51

A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that is lacked control, because there were confounding variables present

Question 52

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that is lacked control, because there were confounding variables present.
Harlow used 2 different monkeys (cloth and wire), which had what?

Answer 52

Harlow used 2 different monkeys (cloth and wire), which had ‘different heads’

Question 53

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that is lacked control, because there were confounding variables present.
Harlow used 2 different monkeys (cloth and wire), which had ‘different heads.’
Why was this a confounding variable that should’ve been controlled?

Answer 53

This was a confounding variable that should’ve been controlled, because it could’ve had a huge impact on the results

Question 54

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that is lacked control, because there were confounding variables present.
Harlow used 2 different monkeys (cloth and wire), which had ‘different heads.’
This was a confounding variable that should’ve been controlled, because it could’ve had a huge impact on the results.
The monkeys had a choice of 2 mothers, but the mothers had different faces.
Arguably, the comfort mother looked more what?

Answer 54

Arguably, the comfort mother looked more:

1. Comforting
2. Monkey-like

Question 55

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that is lacked control, because there were confounding variables present.
Harlow used 2 different monkeys (cloth and wire), which had ‘different heads.’
This was a confounding variable that should’ve been controlled, because it could’ve had a huge impact on the results.
The monkeys had a choice of 2 mothers, but the mothers had different faces.
Arguably, the comfort mother looked more comforting and monkey-like.
The cloth vs the wire was an important difference, but the confounding variable of the mothers having different heads might’ve been the reason why the monkeys what?

Answer 55

The cloth vs the wire was an important difference, but the confounding variable of the mothers having different heads might’ve been the reason why the monkeys preferred:
1. The cloth mother
Over
2. The wire mother

Question 56

AO3:
A weakness of Harlow’s study of attachment is that is lacked control, because there were confounding variables present.
Harlow used 2 different monkeys (cloth and wire), which had ‘different heads.’
This was a confounding variable that should’ve been controlled, because it could’ve had a huge impact on the results.
The monkeys had a choice of 2 mothers, but the mothers had different faces.
Arguably, the comfort mother looked more comforting and monkey-like.
The cloth vs the wire was an important difference, but the confounding variable of the mothers having different heads might’ve been the reason why the monkeys preferred the cloth mother over the wire mother.
Therefore, what does Harlow’s study lack?

Answer 56

Therefore, Harlow’s study lacks internal validity