Animal Studies

Question 1

Findings and conclusions of Lorenz Geese study

Answer 1

• Lorenz investigated imprinting by hatching half the eggs with their mother and the other, seeing Lorenz as the first moving object
• He eventually mixed all the geese together and observed who they would follow, the ones which saw Lorenz first continued to follow him
• Identified a critical period where imprinting occurs

Question 2

Findings and conclusions of Harlows monkeys study

Answer 2

• a wire ‘mother’ and a cloth covered ‘mother’ were placed in the cage with the baby
• In one condition the wire mother dispensed milk and in the there the cloth mother dispensed milk, the monkeys preference was measured by placing monkeys in frightening situations
• Monkeys cuddled cloth mother, no matter which one dispensed milk, contact comfort was more important than food

Question 3

EV Lorenz - support for the concept of imprinting

Answer 3

• Regolin and Vallortigara chicks
• Moving shapes in a control study the chicks followed the shape they were first to see moving

Question 4

EV Lorenz - generalising birds to humans

Answer 4

• Mammal style of attachment is much different from animal imprinting
• e.g showing more emotional attachment to their young
• Not appropriate to generalise Lore’s findings to humans

Question 5

EV Harlow - real world value

Answer 5

• Social workers understanding in risk factors in child abuse
• understanding in attachment figures for baby monkeys in zoos and breeding programmes
• Harlows research has benefited both humans and animals