Harlows Attachment Experiment On Monkeys Flashcards
What was the aim of this experiment?
To find out whether provision of food or contact comforts is more important in the formation of infant - mother attachment
Who were the participants in this experiment?
8 newborn rhesus monkeys separated from their mothers immediately after birth
What was group 1?
4 monkeys isolated in cages where a cloth surrogate mother provided food and a wire surrogate mother did not
What was group 2?
4 monkeys isolated in cages where a wire surrogate mother provided food and a cloth surrogate mother did not
What was the IV?
Provision of food by either a cloth or wire surrogate mother
What was the DV?
Amount of contact time spent with cloth and wire surrogate mothers
What were the results?
All monkey in both groups spent more time with cloth surrogate mother regardless of provision of food or not
What was the conclusion?
Contact comfort is more important then feeding in the formation of infant - mother attachments in rhesus monkeys.
What was the generalisation?
Contact comfort is likely to be a crucial factor in human infant-caregiver attachment
