The work of Harry and Margaret Harlow established that A. early social experience in humans is essential to normal functioning in adulthood. B. physical development is influenced more by nurture than it is by nature. C. contact comfort is more important than feeding in the attachment process. D. parenting style is reflective of offspring’s physical appearance.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is C. contact comfort is more important than feeding in the attachment process.
Explanation:
Harry and Margaret Harlow are famous for their groundbreaking research with rhesus monkeys in the mid-20th century, which focused on the importance of social and emotional development in primates. Their most famous experiment involved separating infant monkeys from their biological mothers and providing them with two surrogate mothers: one made of wire, which provided food, and another made of soft terry cloth, which provided no food but offered comfort.
The results were profound. Harlow observed that the infant monkeys preferred to spend most of their time with the cloth mother, even though the wire mother provided nourishment. This demonstrated that the monkeys valued “contact comfort” (the soft, comforting touch of the cloth mother) more than the need for food. When the monkeys were frightened, they sought comfort from the cloth mother rather than the wire one that provided food. This led Harlow to conclude that attachment was not solely driven by the need for nourishment but by the need for warmth, comfort, and security.
These findings were important in understanding attachment theory, particularly the role of emotional and social factors in development. Harlow’s work contributed to the understanding that early social experiences are crucial for normal psychological development. In humans, the attachment process and the bond formed between infants and their caregivers are vital to emotional well-being, as later research (like Bowlby’s attachment theory) confirmed that infants require more than just food from their caregivers: they need emotional support and comfort as well.
Thus, Harlow’s work refuted the idea that feeding was the primary factor in attachment. Instead, it established that emotional bonding, as indicated by contact comfort, plays a critical role in attachment formation. This insight has had a profound influence on how we understand human emotional and social development.