What Is Harry Harlow's Relationship Surrounding Attachments?

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Harry Harlow was one of the first American psychologist to question the Freudian theories that were prevalent during his time; the theories suggested that food was the basis for infants making connection and forming attachments with their mothers and/or caregivers (Cacioppo & Freberg, 2013). The assumption was that the infant associated happiness with their mother based on the food she provided. Many psychologist, during this time, felt and cautioned parents that showing affection to their children was pointless and could possibly cause psychological issues later in life (Cherry & Gans, n.d.). Harlow set out to challenge this theory by conducting several experiments surrounding attachments, affection, and emotional bonds that would prove to be crucial components to the healthy mental and social development …show more content…
He rigged some of the mother replicas with a bottle that provided food and his findings showed that the monkeys clung to and formed a connection with the soft wire mother, and only went to the wire mother to feed. Once fed, the monkey went back to the soft covered mother replica for comfort and security. The results of this experiment proved that infants desire and need for a somewhat loving touch to feel safe, cared for, and emotional comfort (McLeod, 1970). In another experiment, Harlow separated monkeys, at birth from each other; he kept the monkeys in isolation for different intervals of three months, six months, nine months, and one year (McLeod, 1970). After the end of each time frame, he put the monkeys in a population of other monkeys to see their interaction. The monkeys keep in isolation for three months were not as adversely affected and somewhat recovered socially, but the monkeys kept apart for six to nine months suffered from fear and were combative and aggressive towards the other monkeys. They were not welcomed and accepted by the other monkeys and harmed themselves by pulling out their hair and they scratched and bit themselves
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