Animal studies eval

Question 1

Applications to understanding human behaviour

Answer 1

On one hand humans do not simply form their first true attachments to the first moving objects they see. This means that imprinting as observed by Lorenz in birds may be of limited value to understanding the development of human attachments.

However, it may be true that humans acquire some behaviour by means of ‘imprinting’. This explains for example why so many people prefer the first computer system they use and struggle to adapt to others.
It can therefore be argued that Lorenz’s research on imprinting is of value in understanding some human attachment-related behaviours.

Question 2

Ethical issues

Answer 2

On the one hand, Harlow’s procedures were very stressful for the monkey participants. This is particularly bad as the stress was long-term. In addition, monkeys are quite similar to humans and therefore probably suffered to a similar extent.
On the other hand, Harlow’s research has practical applications that have benefitted large numbers of humans and animals.
Therefore, it could be argued that the studies were justified.