Harry harlow’s monkey theory

harlow

1. Harry Harlow’s monkey theory By Phoebe Mclean Fiona Murphy Megan Tolson

2. Harlow’s research supported the importance of bonding between the mother and the child. This was shown using Rhesus monkeys. The baby monkeys were isolated from their mother when they were born so they grew up alone. They would be put in a cage with a wired monkey where it can only be fed through a bottle and a cloth monkey which had warmth and affection. It was proven that the baby monkey would attach themselves to the cloth monkey until they are starving so they forced themselves to go to the wired monkey. They would cling themselves to the cloth monkey when they were frightened and for comfort Harlow’s theory

3. It has been said that Harlow’s theory links to practice in the fact that infants only had an attachment to their mothers because they were the source of food and because the mother gave off positive feelings to the child. Also that the child’s bond with their mother is so strong and they are their safe haven so when they are apart, they will become anxious and upset as they have been separated from her as they feel safe and comfortable in her presence. How has his theory impacted on practice in setting?

4. •His experiments are considered cruel from an animal protection standpoint. •“The only thing I care about is whether a monkey will turn out a property I can publish. I don't have any love for them. Never have. I don't really like animals. I despise cats. I hate dogs. How could you like monkeys?” – Harry Harlow, 1974 •His experiments have limited value in attempting to understand the effects of deprivation on human infants since Rhesus monkeys are a different species. •In addition Harlow created a state of anxiety in female monkeys which had implications once they became parents. Such monkeys became so neurotic that they smashed their infant's face into the floor and rubbed it back and forth. Criticism of Harlows theory