Harlows Monkeys

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

Will a soft object serve some of the functions of a mother?

Question 2

Method

Answer 2

16 baby monkeys reared in cage with 2 wire surrogate ‘mothers’
1. Harsh wire mother
1. Covered in soft towel
- surrogate mothers either provided milk or no milk
- monkeys frightened with loud noise to test mother preference during stress
- recorded amount time with each mother + feeding time

Question 3

Results

Answer 3

• monkeys cuddled soft cloth mother in preference
• monkeys sought comfort from cloth mother when frightened
• monkeys with soft cloth explored more
• monkey with only wire surrogate had diarrhoea-sign of distress

Question 4

Conclusion

Answer 4

‘Contact comfort’ more important to monkeys than food when came to attachment behaviours

Question 5

Evaluation

Answer 5

1. Practical value- mothers and infants as shows needs that need to be met + show importance of parental roles for development. Mothers are needed for social development so apply to when starting nursery. Helped social workers understand lack of bonding experience as risk factor on child development
2. Unethical- no consent + distressed
3. Cannot generalise, human brain and human behaviour is more complex
4. Shows early maternal deprivation has permentant effect