A4. Animal Studies (Lorenz And Harlow)

Question 1

Imprinting (Lorenz)

Answer 1

• animals attach to the first moving object or person they see directly after birth
• e.g. clutch of goose eggs = 1/2 attached to and followed Lorenz, saw him directly after birth
• MUST occur within first 30 months of life (critical period), after this, effects irreversible

Question 2

Sexual Imprinting

Answer 2

• animals attach to and display sexual behaviours towards the first moving object or animal they see directly after birth
• e.g. Lorenz: observed peacock born surrounded by turtles; therefore only wanted to mate with turtles in later life

Question 3

• Eval: LOR: Low eco-validity

Answer 3

• mammalian attachment differs from birds (mammals can form attachments at any time, with greater emotional intensity)
• low eco-validity, as they can’t be generalised beyond the setting within which they were found

Question 4

• Eval: LOR: Sexual Imprinting

Answer 4

• Guiton et al
• Chickens imprinted on washing up gloves, yet later learned to prefer to mate with other chickens
• LEARNING and EXPERIENCE more important factors in attachment than imprinting

Question 5

Harlow’s Monkeys

Answer 5

• demonstrated importance of contact comfort; using rhesus monkeys and two ‘iron maidens’ (‘monkeys’)
• when scared, the monkeys ALWAYS seeked comfort from cloth-mother (even if wire mother dispensed milk)
• THEREFORE; contact comfort more important than food, when forming attachments

Question 6

Harlow’s Monkeys Findings

Answer 6

• developmental issues: monkeys less-skilled at mating, aggressive towards own children, socially reclusive
• demonstrated importance of attachment in critical period

Question 7

+ Eval: HAR: Practical Application

Answer 7

• design of zoos, and care of animals in shelters
• research demonstrated importance of attachment figures and intellectual stimulation
• zoos should ensure animals have opportunity to form attachment to ensure healthy development

Question 8

• Eval: Ethicsl Issues

Answer 8

• although they didn’t affect reliability or validity
• long-term psychological harm inflicted on monkeys (mating and attachment difficulties)
• cost-benefit analysis conducted to assess if ethical costs are lesser or greater than the benefits of improved knowledge in understanding attachment