Animal Studies

Question 1

Lorenz’s Research

Answer 1

Procedure = Goslings saw Lorenz when they first hatched

Findings = Newly hatched chicks attach to first moving object they see as they are prematurely mobile so this is a biological response to enhance survival (imprinting)

Question 2

What is sexual imprinting ?

Answer 2

Adult birds try to mate to whatever species/object they imprint on

Question 3

Evaluation for Lorenz research

Answer 3

Generalisability = may not be relevant to humans - different attachment systems to birds. Babies born immobile so would not necessarily attach to first person they see due to their being no biological basis for survival

Observations questions = Gulton et al, birds imprinting on rubber gloves later prefered own species

Question 4

Harlow’s Research

Answer 4

Procedure = baby monkeys given cloth or wire ‘mother’ with feeding bottle attached

Findings = monkeys clung to cloth surrogate, regardless to which dispensed milk
. Maternally deprived monkeys grew up socially dysfunctional

Question 5

Critical Period

Answer 5

After 90 days attachment would not form

Question 6

Evaluation of Harlow’s Research

Answer 6

Theoretical Value = attachment depends more on contact comfort than feeding

Prac value = Howe - informs understanding of risk factors of child abuse

Ethical Issues