Harlow
Harlow’s Research
Theresa M. Sasaki
Submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for PSY 130 General Psychology
Reading Area Community College
Fall Online Course 2014
Abstract
Harry Harlow is known for his experiments on maternal separation and social isolation of rhesus monkeys. His work emphasized the importance of care-giving and companionship as a vital component to normal social and cognitive development. In his surrogate mother experiment, Harlow demonstrated the importance of contact comfort. Baby rhesus monkeys were separated from their mothers and given two surrogate mothers. One made out of wire, and another made of terry cloth. He found that even when food was provided by the wire surrogate, the baby monkeys preferred to cling to the terry cloth surrogate. In his social isolation experiments, he again separated baby rhesus monkeys from their mothers and subjected the baby monkeys to partial or total isolation of various duration. He found that those who experienced partial isolation exhibited abnormal behaviors such as going in circles, blank staring, and self-mutilation. Those who experienced total isolation exhibited severe psychological disturbance and experienced emotional shock upon being released from isolation. He also found that subsequent attempts to socialize, monkeys who were isolated were only partially successful. Harlow's work, as well as other Psychologists inspired by Harlow’s research, revealed the importance of contact comfort and social interaction to healthy development and influenced child-rearing practices, particularly in orphanages and other institutions that provided care to children.
Harlow’s Research
Harry Harlow was a Psychologist who provided an innovative understanding of human behavior and development. Harlow studied the social behaviors of monkeys in his experiments. His research contributions in the areas of learning, motivation, and affection have grave importance in the field of general and child psychology.
Theresa M. Sasaki
Submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for PSY 130 General Psychology
Reading Area Community College
Fall Online Course 2014
Abstract
Harry Harlow is known for his experiments on maternal separation and social isolation of rhesus monkeys. His work emphasized the importance of care-giving and companionship as a vital component to normal social and cognitive development. In his surrogate mother experiment, Harlow demonstrated the importance of contact comfort. Baby rhesus monkeys were separated from their mothers and given two surrogate mothers. One made out of wire, and another made of terry cloth. He found that even when food was provided by the wire surrogate, the baby monkeys preferred to cling to the terry cloth surrogate. In his social isolation experiments, he again separated baby rhesus monkeys from their mothers and subjected the baby monkeys to partial or total isolation of various duration. He found that those who experienced partial isolation exhibited abnormal behaviors such as going in circles, blank staring, and self-mutilation. Those who experienced total isolation exhibited severe psychological disturbance and experienced emotional shock upon being released from isolation. He also found that subsequent attempts to socialize, monkeys who were isolated were only partially successful. Harlow's work, as well as other Psychologists inspired by Harlow’s research, revealed the importance of contact comfort and social interaction to healthy development and influenced child-rearing practices, particularly in orphanages and other institutions that provided care to children.
Harlow’s Research
Harry Harlow was a Psychologist who provided an innovative understanding of human behavior and development. Harlow studied the social behaviors of monkeys in his experiments. His research contributions in the areas of learning, motivation, and affection have grave importance in the field of general and child psychology.