Animal Studies Of Attachment Flashcards
What are the two study’s?
Lorenz- imprinting in Goslings
Harlow- Contact comfort in Rhesus monkeys
What was Lorenz’s method?
He randomly divided goose eggs, half hatches with the mother goose, half hatches with Lorenz.
He mixed the two groups together and observed who they followed.
Results and Conclusions of Lorenz’s study?
Lorenz found that the Goslings who hatched with him followed him and the control group followed there mother.
Lorenz identified that there is a critical period for attachment between 13 and 16 hours for the gosling to attach and imprint on caregiver.
What was Harlow’s method?
He reared rhesus monkeys in an artificial environment. There were two conditions, one mesh mother that provided food and one cloth mother that provided comfort. The preferences of the monkeys were measured.
Results and conclusions of Harlows work?
The results showed that the monkeys preference was the cloth mother.
This shows the importance of contact comfort in forming attachments.
Evaluation of Lorenz?
Limitation- you cannot generalise Lorenz’s findings to humans because they are different species.
Strengths- Researchers also found imprinting on chicks to a yellow glove. However overtime learned to mate with there own kind. Suggesting imprinting is not as long lasting.
Evaluation of Harlow?
Limitation- Cannot generalise findings onto humans. Lab exp can’t generalise results to all monkeys.
Strengths- Lab exp, strong control of variables, easily replicated.
Limitation- However ethical unsound, unable to give informed consent, no right to withdraw. No protection from harm.
