8. Animal Studies Of Attachment AO3 Flashcards
Name a limitation of Lorenz’s research
Generalising findings and conclusions from birds to humans
Why is generalising findings and conclusions from birds to humans
Mammalian attachment system is quite different from that of bird - e.g. Mammalian mothers show more emotional attachment to young - means it’s not appropriate to generalise Lorenz’s research to humans
Name a strength of Lorenz’ research
Support for the concept of imprinting
Outline the research that supports the concept of imprinting
Research found chicks imprinted on yellow gloves - would try to mate with them as adults
What does the yellow glove research suggest
Young animals are born with innate mechanisms to imprint on a moving object present in critical window of development
What can therefore be concluded about imprinting
There’s innate mechanisms causing young animals to imprint on moving object during critical period of development
Name a strength of Harlow’s research
Important practical applications - usefulness increases its value
What Important practical applications does Harlow’s research have
Helped social workers understand risk factors in child abuse - now intervene to prevent it
How does Harlow’s research have practical applications to monkeys
Can understand importance of attachment figures for baby monkeys in zoos and breeding programs in the wild
Name a weakness of Harlow’s research
Faced severe criticism for ethics of research
Why has Harlow faced severe criticism for ethics of research
Rhesus monkeys are similar enough to humans to generalise findings - also means suffering could be human like - Harlow was aware of suffering - named wire mothers ‘iron maidens - medieval tourtière devise
What is the counter argument for Harlow’s unethical study
Research was sufficiently important to justify the procedure
