Animal Studies of ATTACHMENTS Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the 2 key studies of animal attachment

A

Lorenz Imprinting theory- Geese

Harlow Isolation and Surrogate mother study - Monkeys

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2
Q

Aim of Lorenz Gosling study (1952)

A

To investigate the mechanics of imprinting and what they can tell us about attachment

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3
Q

Procedure of Lorenz Gosling study (1952)

A
  • Took cutch of goose eggs until about to hatch
  • Half of eggs placed under goose mother
  • Other half beside himself in an incubator
  • upon hatching, Lorenz imitated goose mother quack
  • Lorenz then observed behaviour of Goslings
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4
Q

Findings of Lorenz Gosling study (1952)

A
  • Geese Followed first moving object they saw during a 12->17 hour critical period of hatching = Imprinting
  • Geese Followed Lorenz as a Mother
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5
Q

Conclusions of Lorenz Gosling study (1952)

A
  • Unlikely that attachment will form after 32 hours of no imprinting
  • Strongest response forms between 12 and 17 hrs after hatching
  • Imprinting cannot be reversed, won’t imprint on anything else

-Attachment is innate and is programmed genetically

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6
Q

Aim of Harlow’s study on Isolation in Monkeys (1959)

A

Study mechanisms behind which new born resus monkeys are effected by isolation

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7
Q

Procedure of Harlow’s study on Isolation in Monkeys (1959)

A
  • Isolated baby Rhesus monkeys from birth
  • Kept in iso for 3, 6, 9mth, 1yr
  • Then put with other monkeys to assess attachment behaviour
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8
Q

Findings + Conclusion of Harlow’s study on Isolation in Monkeys (1959)

A

Engaged in Strange behaviour such as:

  • Clutching own body, rocking back and forth
  • Bullied by other monkeys
  • Scared of other monkeys, became aggressive
  • Indulged in self mutilation

Therefore Privation is permanently damaging to monkeys.
Longer kept isolated, worse the effects

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9
Q

Aim of Harlow’s study on Surrogate Mothers in Monkeys (1959)

A

To see mechanics by which newborn Rhesus monkeys bond with their mothers

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10
Q

Procedure of Harlow’s study on Surrogate Mothers in Monkeys (1959)

A
  • 8 monkeys separated from mothers at birth
  • placed in cage with access to 2 surrogate mothers
    a) one mother made of Terry Toweling cloth
    b) one mother made of wire with food attached
  • 4 monkeys could get food from wire mothers.
  • others got food from wire mother
  • Studied for 165 days
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11
Q

Findings of Harlow’s study on Surrogate Mothers in Monkeys (1959)

A
  • Both groups spent more time with cloth mother
  • Infant only go to wire mother if hungry
  • If scared, seek comfort from cloth mother (safe base)
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12
Q

Conclusion of Harlow’s study on Surrogate Mothers in Monkeys (1959)

A
  • To develop normally, must form attachment with object they can cling to during first months of life
  • Early Maternal Deprivation = emotional damage. Can be reversed if attachment formed before end of critical period
  • Emotional damage never reversed if not
  • ‘contact comfort’ more important than food when it comes to attachment behaviour
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