Rhesus Monkeys, Harlow and Zimmerman

What was the aim?

Harlow wanted to investigate the role of comfort versus food provision in attachment formation and the long-term effects of maternal deprivation

What was the procedure?

Harlow conducted a laboratory experiment with 16 rhesus monkeys, who were separated from their mother at birth. They each had two different mothers, wired (who gave food) and cloth (who gave comfort). The time spent with each mother and their response when frightened was measured.

Findings

Baby monkeys stayed with cloth for 22 hours and wired for 2 hours. When frightened, they went to the cloth mother.

Conclusion

Shows that contact comfort was more important in the formation of attachment.

Findings from deprived monkeys as adults?

The monkeys who had ben deprived of a mother, showed social and emotional disturbances. When some became a mother, they tried to kill their own children.

Conclusion from deprived monkeys?

There is a critical period for attachment formation, which is 90 days.