Animal Studies Flashcards
Who researched imprinting?
Lorenz
What was the aim and method of Lorenz’s study?
To investigate the mechanisms of imprinting where the youngsters follow and form an attachment to the first moving object that they meet. Lorenz divided a number of goose eggs randomly into two groups
- Half were replaced under their mother so the first thing they would see was the mother
- The other half were placed in an incubator and the first thing they saw was Lorenz
What were the findings and conclusion of Lorenz’s study?
The incubator followed Lorenz everywhere whereas the group that hatched in the presence of their mother followed her. When the two groups were mixed up the control group continued to follow the mother and the experimental group followed Lorenz. They concluded that bird species followed the first moving object they see and this is called imprinting and is a form of attachment
What is a strength of Lorenz’s study?
The fact that imprinting only occurs within a brief set time period influenced Bowlbys idea of a critical period which is a specific time period within which an attachment between infant and carers must form. The critical period was 12-17 hours in the geese but the first 12 months in babies
What are two limitations with Lorenz’s study?
There is a problem with generalising findings from birds to humans as human attachment is different in humans and birds. Sluckin questioned whether there actually was a critical period. He replicated Lorenz’s study but kept one ducking in isolation beyond the critical period. He concluded it was more of a sensitive period a time period for imprinting to perform but beyond which attachments could still be formed
What is a strength and limitation of Lorenz’s study?
The fact that imprinting is irreversible suggests the ability is under biological control as learned behaviours can be modified by experience. Therefore supporting the nature side of the debate
Who used Rhesus monkeys in his research?
Harlow
What was the aim and method of Harlows study?
To test the learning theory of attachment (attachments are formed primarily through food). 16 baby monkeys were separated from their mum and were reared with two wire model mothers.
1. Milk was dispensed by the plain wire mother
2. The cloth covered mother
The time with each mother was recorded
What were the findings and conclusion of Harlows study?
Monkeys preferred contact with the towelling mother (22 hours a day). Therefore they concluded that contact comfort was of more importance to the monkeys than food which suggest that attachment concerns emotional security more than food
What are two limitations of Harlows study?
It faced severe criticism for the ethics as the monkey suffered greatly. Also the monkeys are not human so therefore psychologists disagree on the extent to which studies of non human primates can be generalised to humans
What is a strength of Harlows study?
There are practical applications. For example it helped social workers understand risk factors in child neglect and abuse and so intervene to prevent it
