Discovering LoveRomy Camacho

Background❖ Harlow’s studies with rhesus

monkeys led him to notice how the infant monkeys got attached to the cloth pads covering the bottom of the cage➢ When cloth taken away monkeys

would get agitated and angry

Hypothesis

A basic need for close contact with something soft and comforting has to be fulfilled in addition to the primary biological needs of infants

Experiments1.Monkeys were caged

with both surrogate mothers, but only one gave milk

2.Each cage had one type of mother

3.Object of fear placed in each cage, containing both mothers

Experiments4. Monkeys were placed in a different cage with items to play with

➢ Had only one of the mothers or neither

5. Mother was taken away for 30 days after 6 months of age when they were on solid food diets

Results1. Both mothers:

➢ All monkeys prefered the cloth mother

2. Only one mother:➢ Wire mother - Could not

digest milk as well so would get diarrhea

➢ Proved they were mentally stressed

Results3. Object of fear:➢ Ran to the cloth

mother for comfort and protection

➢ Attachment increased by age

Results

4. Strange room with toys➢ With cloth mother- Clung tight then started

to play➢ Without cloth mother- Would freeze in fear,

cry, scream, and run in panic

5. Mother separation➢ Monkeys ran to mother

and played with her➢ Natural contact was

greater need than for exploration

Conclusion➢ Demonstrates the importance of

contact comfort

Historical Significance➢ Can relate to issues of institutionalized

children, adoption, and child abuse➢ Proved that children need physical

contact with humans

Criticism:➢ Comparison between monkeys

and humans❖ Attachment process is

differentEthical Issues:➢ Putting any kind of animal in a

harmful situation for research

Thank You!