A - animal studies of attachment (AO3)

Question 1

Lorenz (1935): What’s a strength of the imprinting theory? - Reliable finding

Answer 1

===> Many studies have found the same results. Guiton (1966) found leghorn chicks imprinted onto yellow rubber glove and males tried to mate with them. Increases Lorenz reliability as both found attachments affect sexual relationships - but with experience leghorns learnt to mate with their true species

Question 2

Lorenz (1935): What’s a limitation of the study’s findings? - Can’t be extrapolated to humans

Answer 2

===> Based on birds and can’t be generalised to humans as their brains are qualitatively different to humans. Mammalian attachment system is different to birds (more emotional attachment), mammals can form attachments at any time and humans are more dependent on their caregiver than most birds

Question 3

Harlow (1958): What is a strength of his research? - Findings are reliable even in modern day research

Answer 3

===> Bowlby inspired by Harlow and found critical period of 2.5 years for humans. and found maternal deprivation leads to irreversible damage (Genie case study). Also useful in understanding mammalian attachment system is more emotional than learning theory suggests so valuable in developing knowledge in this area

Question 4

Harlow (1958): What is a strength of his research? - Good real-life application

Answer 4

===> Social workers better understand risk factors of child abuse and neglect. Government-run programmes such as ‘Triple P’ spread awareness about good parenting and helped with the treatment of captive animals. Shaped influential policies - costs outweigh the benefits?