Harry Harlow's Experiment Summary
GOAL
Harry Harlow, an American Psychologist, was developing the Wisconsin General Testing Apparatus to study aspects of mental processes of primates. As he developed his tests, he realized the monkeys he was working with were “learning new strategies around his initial tests” (article 2). Harlow was very confused as to why this was occurring, so he decided to study developing primates away from their biological mothers in a nursing setting and examine the premature behaviors and relationships developed between a mother and infant. The articles I chose peaked my attention because of the variety of information they both had. They were also from very reliable websites so I knew the information was correct.
PARTICIPANTS, MATERIALS, AND PROCEDURE …show more content…
For this experiment, Harlow tested infant monkeys that were separated from their biological mother hours after birth. The monkeys were then put with two mechanical mothers made from wire. The first ‘mother’ was made with plain wire and the second mother was made with plain wire but with terry cloth covering it. Both machines dispensed the same kind of milk. Two procedures were completed. In the first experiment, the monkeys were placed with both monkeys together so the infant had the opportunity to choose which mother it wanted to spend time with. In the second experiment, the monkeys were separated and didn’t have the choice of which mother it wanted to love. According to the articles, the monkeys still drank the same amount of milk and grew at the same rate.
RESULTS
Both machines offered nourishment, but the monkeys admired the terry cloth mother.
The monkeys were more affectionate and cuddled the machine that offered more comfort. It didn’t matter that they got milk from both, but the one that supported the monkey physically created a stronger bond. In the second experiment when the monkeys were separated and placed with an individual mother, subjects were frightened by loud noises. The monkeys that were placed with the terry cloth mother made “bodily contact” (article 1) which eventually helped them calm down. The monkeys that were placed by wire mothers, after being scared by the noises, comforted themselves by screaming and crying. For these experiments, Harlow concluded that the bond between mother and child is not based on the mother’s ability to supply the infant with its needs, but the way the mother comforts the child. The infants that grew up with a nurturing mother had a normal lifestyle. Harlow then tested the “better late than never” (article 1) tactic by placing the monkeys with no mother for the first eight months of their lives. The monkeys were permanently damaged. Harlow concluded that the impact of early necessities given by a mother could be reversed if that child has lasted ninety days or less
alone.
MY OPINIONS
If I were a monkey that participated in this experiment, I probably would have had the same outcome the original monkeys had. I grew up with a comforting mother and I am pretty sure I live a normal life with no major illnesses that affect my daily life. If I hadn’t grown up with a loving family, I probably would suffer with psychological issues because I didn’t have the support I needed from my family. The monkeys experienced traumatic instances that affected their future, much like infants today. If a child is neglected when frightened, it will grow up to inhabit scary characteristics about themselves. This experiment, to me, means that the loving and comforting characteristic between a mother and child is needed for the child to have the proper adult lifestyle. In order for the child development to be adequate, there has to be a supporting, comforting adult role in the infant’s life.
MY WAY OF TESTING
If I were the researcher, I would test the same experiment on multiple different type’s animals. I would hypothesize that different types of animals may have different results. For example, I would test monkeys, puppies, and chicks. The three animals are all from different species, so the results would come back different. I would test the same type of mother with each infant and provide them with the same milk, just like Harlow did in his trials. I would test multiple scenarios just like Harlow did, however I would add an experiment outside in multiple different weather conditions. The rainy, scary weather could affect the way the animals bond with its mother.
Harry Harlow, an American Psychologist, was developing the Wisconsin General Testing Apparatus to study aspects of mental processes of primates. As he developed his tests, he realized the monkeys he was working with were “learning new strategies around his initial tests” (article 2). Harlow was very confused as to why this was occurring, so he decided to study developing primates away from their biological mothers in a nursing setting and examine the premature behaviors and relationships developed between a mother and infant. The articles I chose peaked my attention because of the variety of information they both had. They were also from very reliable websites so I knew the information was correct.
PARTICIPANTS, MATERIALS, AND PROCEDURE …show more content…
For this experiment, Harlow tested infant monkeys that were separated from their biological mother hours after birth. The monkeys were then put with two mechanical mothers made from wire. The first ‘mother’ was made with plain wire and the second mother was made with plain wire but with terry cloth covering it. Both machines dispensed the same kind of milk. Two procedures were completed. In the first experiment, the monkeys were placed with both monkeys together so the infant had the opportunity to choose which mother it wanted to spend time with. In the second experiment, the monkeys were separated and didn’t have the choice of which mother it wanted to love. According to the articles, the monkeys still drank the same amount of milk and grew at the same rate.
RESULTS
Both machines offered nourishment, but the monkeys admired the terry cloth mother.
The monkeys were more affectionate and cuddled the machine that offered more comfort. It didn’t matter that they got milk from both, but the one that supported the monkey physically created a stronger bond. In the second experiment when the monkeys were separated and placed with an individual mother, subjects were frightened by loud noises. The monkeys that were placed with the terry cloth mother made “bodily contact” (article 1) which eventually helped them calm down. The monkeys that were placed by wire mothers, after being scared by the noises, comforted themselves by screaming and crying. For these experiments, Harlow concluded that the bond between mother and child is not based on the mother’s ability to supply the infant with its needs, but the way the mother comforts the child. The infants that grew up with a nurturing mother had a normal lifestyle. Harlow then tested the “better late than never” (article 1) tactic by placing the monkeys with no mother for the first eight months of their lives. The monkeys were permanently damaged. Harlow concluded that the impact of early necessities given by a mother could be reversed if that child has lasted ninety days or less
alone.
MY OPINIONS
If I were a monkey that participated in this experiment, I probably would have had the same outcome the original monkeys had. I grew up with a comforting mother and I am pretty sure I live a normal life with no major illnesses that affect my daily life. If I hadn’t grown up with a loving family, I probably would suffer with psychological issues because I didn’t have the support I needed from my family. The monkeys experienced traumatic instances that affected their future, much like infants today. If a child is neglected when frightened, it will grow up to inhabit scary characteristics about themselves. This experiment, to me, means that the loving and comforting characteristic between a mother and child is needed for the child to have the proper adult lifestyle. In order for the child development to be adequate, there has to be a supporting, comforting adult role in the infant’s life.
MY WAY OF TESTING
If I were the researcher, I would test the same experiment on multiple different type’s animals. I would hypothesize that different types of animals may have different results. For example, I would test monkeys, puppies, and chicks. The three animals are all from different species, so the results would come back different. I would test the same type of mother with each infant and provide them with the same milk, just like Harlow did in his trials. I would test multiple scenarios just like Harlow did, however I would add an experiment outside in multiple different weather conditions. The rainy, scary weather could affect the way the animals bond with its mother.