Chapter 1.

Introduction

Photo Credit: Digital Vision

Princeton University

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1.1 "Wire Mothers" and Attachment: Harlow’s Monkeys

In this classic 1960 footage, famous researcher Harry Harlow demonstrates how his work with rhesus monkeys sheds light on the development of attachment and "mother love." Harlow conducts experiments in which monkeys who have been raised with an artificial mother made out of wire, which provides milk, nevertheless turn to artificial mothers made of cloth in times of distress or in unfamiliar surroundings. Harlow exposes the monkeys to frightening artificial robot threats, and finds that there is an innate craving by the monkeys for soft tactile comforting touch—touch that cannot be provided by a "wire mother," even one that has been solely responsible for the nursing of the monkeys.

1.2 Check Your Understanding

1.3 Activity Completed!