animal studies of attachment evaluation Flashcards
(p) a limitation is that lorenz’s research was on birds, so there is difficulty relating his findings to humans
(e)
● it is suggested that human attachment is quite different (and more complex)
● compared to attachment formed in birds
● e.g. mammalian mothers may show more emotional attachment to their young than birds do
(c)
● therefore, it might not be appropriate to generalise his findings to human attachment
(p) a limitation is that some of lorenz’s conclusions have been questioned by psychologists
(e)
● guiton et al found chickens who imprinted on yellow washing up gloves would try and mate with them as adults
● but with experience they eventually learned to prefer to mate with other chickens
(c)
● suggests that impact of imprinting on mating behaviour is not permanent as lorenz suggested
● therefore, lorenz’s conclusions may lack validity
(p) one strength is harlow’s findings have had a profound effect on our understandings of attachment
(e)
● harlow showed how important contact comfort was for a child’s healthy development and how our early attachments influence our later social development
● this has helped social workers understand risk factors in child neglect and abuse such as lack of comfort
(c)
● so, thanks to harlow, we have a greater understanding of what we need to do / avoid to ensure a healthy childhood
(p) however, harlow faced severe criticism / backlash for his research
(e)
● the monkeys in his study suffered greatly from what he did to them causing permanent damage
● and harlow was fully aware of the suffering he was causing to them
(c)
● this is a concern because monkeys are considered a close enough species to generalise findings from
● therefore, it has been argued that their suffering would be human like and therefore unethical
