Animal Studies of Attachment Evaluation

Question 1

What is the generalisation evaluation point for Lorenz?

Answer 1

Lorenz was interested in imprinting birds - hard to generalise to humans

Question 2

What is the generalisation evaluation point for Harlow?

Answer 2

Although monkeys are closer to humans, they are still not human - should not generalise his research to humans

Question 3

What is the application evaluation point for Harlow?

Answer 3

His research has important applications in a range of practical contexts

(helped social workers understand risk factors for child neglect)

Question 4

What is the validity evaluation point for Lorenz?

Answer 4

Researchers questioned Lorenz’s conclusions - the idea that imprinting has a permanent effect of mating behaviour

(Guiton et al - washing up glove study)

Question 5

What is the validity evaluation point for Harlow?

Answer 5

Harlow’s findings have has a profound effect on psychologists understanding of mother-infant attachments

• contact comfort importance
• quality of early relationship for later development

Question 6

What is the ethics evaluation point for Harlow?

Answer 6

Criticised for the ethics - monkeys suffered greatly