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22
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Theodora Li
7/12/2025
Psychology
Animal studies of attachment
679
•
Jul 12, 2025
•
Animal Imprinting and Attachment: Lorenz and Harlow’s Experiments
Animal Studies of Attachment: Lorenz and Harlow's Groundbreaking Research
This page delves into the seminal work of Konrad Lorenz and Harry Harlow on animal attachment, exploring their methodologies, findings, and the lasting impact of their research on our understanding of bonding behaviors.
Lorenz's Research on Imprinting
Konrad Lorenz's classic experiment on imprinting in geese laid the foundation for understanding early attachment in birds. He divided a clutch of goose eggs into two groups: one hatched with the mother goose in a natural environment, while the other hatched in an incubator with Lorenz as the first moving object they saw.
Definition: Imprinting is a rapid learning process by which a newborn or very young animal establishes a behavior pattern of recognition and attraction to another animal of its own kind or to a substitute.
The results of Lorenz's experiment were striking. When the two groups were mixed, the control group continued to follow their mother, while the experimental group followed Lorenz. This demonstrated that bird species mobile from birth tend to attach to the first moving object they encounter.
Highlight: Lorenz identified a critical period for imprinting, which can be as brief as a few hours after birth. If imprinting does not occur within this time frame, attachment may not form.
Lorenz's work also revealed the phenomenon of sexual imprinting. He described a case study of a peacock reared in a zoo's reptile house, which later only directed courtship behavior towards giant tortoises, the first moving objects it had seen.
Harlow's Research on Contact Comfort
Harry Harlow's research focused on the importance of contact comfort in attachment formation. His famous experiment involved rearing 16 baby rhesus monkeys with two wire model 'mothers.'
Example: One wire mother dispensed milk but was plain, while the other was covered in soft cloth but provided no nourishment.
Harlow's findings were groundbreaking:
- Baby monkeys consistently preferred cuddling with the cloth-covered mother.
- They sought comfort from the cloth mother when frightened, regardless of which one provided milk.
- This demonstrated that 'contact comfort' was more important than food in attachment behavior.
Quote: "Contact comfort more important than food in attachment behaviour"
Harlow's research also explored the long-term effects of maternal deprivation. Monkeys reared with only wire mothers showed severe developmental issues, including aggression, poor social skills, and difficulties in mating and parenting.
Vocabulary: Maternal deprivation refers to the lack of an attachment bond between an infant and a primary caregiver, typically the mother.
The study identified a critical period of 90 days for normal attachment development in monkeys, after which irreversible damage could occur due to early deprivation.
Research Support and Evaluation
Subsequent studies, such as Regolin and Vallortigara's work with chicks, have supported the concept of imprinting. However, the generalizability of these findings to humans is limited due to the more complex nature of mammalian attachment systems.
Highlight: Human attachment is a two-way process, involving both the infant's attachment to the caregiver and the caregiver's emotional attachment to the infant.
The permanence of imprinting has also been questioned. Guiton et al. found that while chickens imprinted on artificial objects would initially try to mate with them as adults, they eventually learned to prefer mating with other chickens.
Real-World Applications and Ethical Considerations
These animal studies have had significant real-world value, helping social workers and clinical psychologists understand the importance of early bonding experiences in child development. They have also informed practices in zoos and wildlife conservation efforts.
However, ethical concerns have been raised, particularly regarding Harlow's experiments, which caused significant suffering to the monkeys involved.
Highlight: The ethical debate surrounding these experiments highlights the ongoing tension between scientific advancement and animal welfare in research.
In conclusion, while the work of Lorenz and Harlow has been instrumental in shaping our understanding of attachment behaviors, it's crucial to consider both its contributions and limitations when applying these findings to human development.
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Stefan S
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
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Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
Animal Imprinting and Attachment: Lorenz and Harlow’s Experiments
Impact of Imprinting on Animal Behavior: From Lorenz to Harlow
This document explores the groundbreaking animal studies on attachment and imprinting conducted by Konrad Lorenz and Harry Harlow. Their research has significantly contributed to our understanding of early bonding behaviors... Show more
Animal Studies of Attachment: Lorenz and Harlow's Groundbreaking Research
This page delves into the seminal work of Konrad Lorenz and Harry Harlow on animal attachment, exploring their methodologies, findings, and the lasting impact of their research on our understanding of bonding behaviors.
Lorenz's Research on Imprinting
Konrad Lorenz's classic experiment on imprinting in geese laid the foundation for understanding early attachment in birds. He divided a clutch of goose eggs into two groups: one hatched with the mother goose in a natural environment, while the other hatched in an incubator with Lorenz as the first moving object they saw.
Definition: Imprinting is a rapid learning process by which a newborn or very young animal establishes a behavior pattern of recognition and attraction to another animal of its own kind or to a substitute.
The results of Lorenz's experiment were striking. When the two groups were mixed, the control group continued to follow their mother, while the experimental group followed Lorenz. This demonstrated that bird species mobile from birth tend to attach to the first moving object they encounter.
Highlight: Lorenz identified a critical period for imprinting, which can be as brief as a few hours after birth. If imprinting does not occur within this time frame, attachment may not form.
Lorenz's work also revealed the phenomenon of sexual imprinting. He described a case study of a peacock reared in a zoo's reptile house, which later only directed courtship behavior towards giant tortoises, the first moving objects it had seen.
Harlow's Research on Contact Comfort
Harry Harlow's research focused on the importance of contact comfort in attachment formation. His famous experiment involved rearing 16 baby rhesus monkeys with two wire model 'mothers.'
Example: One wire mother dispensed milk but was plain, while the other was covered in soft cloth but provided no nourishment.
Harlow's findings were groundbreaking:
- Baby monkeys consistently preferred cuddling with the cloth-covered mother.
- They sought comfort from the cloth mother when frightened, regardless of which one provided milk.
- This demonstrated that 'contact comfort' was more important than food in attachment behavior.
Quote: "Contact comfort more important than food in attachment behaviour"
Harlow's research also explored the long-term effects of maternal deprivation. Monkeys reared with only wire mothers showed severe developmental issues, including aggression, poor social skills, and difficulties in mating and parenting.
Vocabulary: Maternal deprivation refers to the lack of an attachment bond between an infant and a primary caregiver, typically the mother.
The study identified a critical period of 90 days for normal attachment development in monkeys, after which irreversible damage could occur due to early deprivation.
Research Support and Evaluation
Subsequent studies, such as Regolin and Vallortigara's work with chicks, have supported the concept of imprinting. However, the generalizability of these findings to humans is limited due to the more complex nature of mammalian attachment systems.
Highlight: Human attachment is a two-way process, involving both the infant's attachment to the caregiver and the caregiver's emotional attachment to the infant.
The permanence of imprinting has also been questioned. Guiton et al. found that while chickens imprinted on artificial objects would initially try to mate with them as adults, they eventually learned to prefer mating with other chickens.
Real-World Applications and Ethical Considerations
These animal studies have had significant real-world value, helping social workers and clinical psychologists understand the importance of early bonding experiences in child development. They have also informed practices in zoos and wildlife conservation efforts.
However, ethical concerns have been raised, particularly regarding Harlow's experiments, which caused significant suffering to the monkeys involved.
Highlight: The ethical debate surrounding these experiments highlights the ongoing tension between scientific advancement and animal welfare in research.
In conclusion, while the work of Lorenz and Harlow has been instrumental in shaping our understanding of attachment behaviors, it's crucial to consider both its contributions and limitations when applying these findings to human development.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
You have the choice, we offer a 100% secure payment via PayPal or an Amazon gift card. There is no limit to how much you can earn.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user