Animal Studies of Attachment

Question 1

Lorenz procedure

Answer 1

A clutch of gosling eggs divided into two groups. One group left with natural mother, other with incubator. Incubated eggs were first introduced to Lorenz and imprinted on him.

Question 2

Imprinting

Answer 2

An innate readiness to make a strong bond with the mother. Takes place in a specific, early time e.g. first few hours after birth

Question 3

Lorenz aim

Answer 3

Investigate the role of imprinting in the formation of attachments

Question 4

Lorenz finding

Answer 4

Imprinting is restricted to a definitive time called the ‘critical period’

Question 5

Lorenz conclusions

Answer 5

Imprinting is a process similar to attachment allowing a young animal to from a bond and special relationship with their caregiver.
Imprinting is irreversible and long lasting

Question 6

Precocial

Answer 6

Animals that are mobile soon after birth

Question 7

Negative of Lorenz

Answer 7

Unethical as it caused long lasting and permanent damage

Question 8

Can Lorenz’s study explain human attachments?

Answer 8

No because humans are not precocial

Question 9

Positive of Lorenz

Answer 9

Supporting study from Guiton, leghorn chicks with a yellow rubber glove

Question 10

Harlow procedure

Answer 10

Created two monkey mothers, cloth and wire. 8 monkeys were studied for 165 days. For half, wire had a milk bottle, vice versa. Measurements were made as to how much time monkeys spent with each mother. Fear was also examined

Question 11

Harlow findings

Answer 11

More time was always spent with the cloth mother

Question 12

Harlow conclusion

Answer 12

Infants do not develop attachments to those who feed them but rather the person offering contact comfort

Question 13

Harlow negatives

Answer 13

Confounding variable, the head of the cloth mother could be seen as more attractive.
Generalizing animal studies to human is dangerous because humans have more complex minds