Attachment: animal studies Flashcards
What was the aim of lorenz study?
To investigate wether there is a critical period for forming attachments
What was the sample of lorenz study?
12 gosling eggs
What was the procedure of lorenz study?
6 saw mother after hatching
6 saw Lorenz after hatching
What did lorenz study find?
-the goslings followed whoever they saw straight after hatching (imprinting)
-first bond affect mating preferences (sexual imprinting)
What was a strength to Lorenz study?
-futher study backs up (chicks imprinted on a rubber glove)
What was a negative to Lorenz study?
-cannot be generalised (birds may not be the same as humans)
What was the aim of Harlows study?
To investigate wether the first attachment is based off who offers food or comfort contact
What was the sample of harlows study?
16 infant monkeys
What was the procedure of harlows study?
-infant monkeys put through several scenarios
-experience each scenario in room with both surrogate mothers
-one surrogate mother is wired and offers food
-second surrogate mother is cloth covered
What were the findings of harlows study?
In both scenarios, the infant monkeys chose comfort contact over the surrogate mother with food
What is a strength to Harlows study?
Showed importance of attachment (infant monkey suffered from separated from mother)
What are the negatives to harlows study?
-ethical issues (infant monkeys were killed after study) (put through harm during study)
-cannot be generalised (monkeys not exactly same as humans)
