Harlow's study monkeys

Question 1

what is the aim of Harlow’s study?

Answer 1

to test the learning theory by comparing attachment behavior in baby monkeys given a wire surrogate mother producing milk with those given soft towelling mother producing no milk

Question 2

what is the procedure of Harlow’s study?

Answer 2

1. two types of surrogate mother constructed a harsh “wire mother” and a soft “towelling mother”
2. 16 baby monkeys were used four in each condition
   (4 conditions)
3. the amount of time spent with each mother as well as feeding time was recorded
4. the monkeys were frightened with a loud noise to test mother preference during stress
5. a larger cage was used to test monkeys degree of exploration

Question 3

what were the finding’s of Harlow’s study?

Answer 3

• monkeys preferred contact with the towelling mother when given a choice of mothers regardless to whether she produced milk they even stretched over the wire mother to feed while clinging on to the towelling mother
• monkeys with only a wire mother had diarrhoea, a sign of stress
• when frightened by a loud noise, monkeys clung to the towelling mother in conditions when she was available
• in the larger cage conditions, monkeys with towelling mothers explored more and visited their mother more often

Question 4

what are the conclusions of Harlow’s study?

Answer 4

-rhesus monkeys have an innate unlearned need for contact comfort suggesting that attachment concerns emotional security more than food.

Question 5

what is one evaluation point of Harlow’s study?

Answer 5

the study involved animals and therefore we cannot necessarily generalise the finding’s to humans

Question 6

what is another evaluation point of Harlow’s study?

Answer 6

there are ethical issues involving the separation of monkeys and causing stress to them