Outline Lorenz’s and Harlow’s animal studies of attachment. Discuss what these studies might tell us about human attachment. (16 marks)
Lorenz's study involved randomly dividing goose eggs into two groups: one hatched with the mother present in a natural environment, while the other hatched in an incubator with Lorenz present. The behaviour of the goslings was recorded, revealing that the group hatched in the incubator followed Lorenz, while the control group followed the mother, illustrating the concept of imprinting and the critical period.
In contrast, Harlow's study utilised infant monkeys reared in a controlled environment with two mother surrogates: a plain wire mother providing food and a cloth-covered mother with no food. The time spent with each mother was recorded, and fear conditions were observed. Long-term effects, including sociability and relationship to offspring, were noted, highlighting a preference for contact comfort over food and the enduring impact on sociability and child-rearing behaviour. Both studies shed light on the significance of early attachments and the role of nurturing and comfort in development.
Lorenz's study on imprinting in geese provides valuable insights into human attachment. Firstly, his findings suggest that there is a critical period early in life during which attachment bonds are formed. This parallels with the concept of sensitive periods in human development, indicating that the quality of early caregiver interactions can profoundly influence attachment security. Moreover, the observed imprinting behaviour in the goslings underscores the innate predisposition for attachment formation, implying that similar biological mechanisms may underlie human attachment. However, it's important to note that while Lorenz's study offers a foundational understanding of attachment processes, human attachment is inherently more complex due to factors like cognitive development and socio-cultural influences. Nonetheless, Lorenz's research prompts further exploration into the interplay between biological predispositions and environmental factors in shaping human attachment bonds.
Harlow's study on surrogate mother attachment in infant monkeys provides significant insights into human attachment dynamics. Firstly, his findings challenge the traditional view that attachment is solely based on provision of nourishment, highlighting the importance of contact comfort in fostering secure attachments. This aligns with observations in human infants where physical closeness and comfort from caregivers are crucial for emotional well-being. (Schaffer and Emerson). Additionally, Harlow's study underscores the lasting impact of early attachment experiences on social development and relationships, suggesting parallels with the long-term effects observed in humans. However, it's important to recognise the ethical considerations surrounding Harlow's study, particularly regarding the treatment of the monkeys. Despite this, Harlow's research has contributed to our understanding of the multifaceted nature of attachment, emphasising the significance of emotional bonds in human development and relationships.
