Harlow’s Monkey Experiment: Contradiction of Behaviorism

QUESTION

Which psychological viewpoint does the result of Harlow’s monkeys experiment contradict? Group of answer choices Functionalist view Gestalt psychology Structuralism Behaviourist view

ANSWER

Harlow’s Monkey Experiment: Contradiction of Behaviorism

Introduction

Harlow’s Monkey Experiment is a seminal study in psychology that revolutionized our understanding of attachment and the emotional well-being of infants. This essay explores how the results of Harlow’s experiment contradict the Behaviorist viewpoint, which was a dominant psychological perspective at the time.

The Behaviorist Viewpoint: Behaviorism, a school of thought primarily associated with psychologists like John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner, emphasized the role of external stimuli and observable behaviors in shaping human psychology. According to behaviorism, all behavior, including complex cognitive and emotional processes, could be explained by conditioning – specifically, classical and operant conditioning.

Harlow’s Monkey Experiment: Harry Harlow’s experiment, conducted in the 1950s, involved rhesus monkeys raised with two surrogate mothers: one made of wire and one covered in soft cloth. The wire mother provided food, while the cloth mother did not. Contrary to the behaviorist notion that animals (and humans) form attachments primarily based on the satisfaction of physiological needs, Harlow’s findings were groundbreaking.

Contradiction to Behaviorism

Importance of Contact Comfort

Harlow’s research demonstrated that the infant monkeys preferred spending time with the cloth mother, even when the wire mother provided food. This preference for comfort and closeness contradicted the behaviorist idea that attachment and bonding were primarily driven by the fulfillment of basic physiological needs like hunger.

Emotional Well-being

Harlow’s experiments also showed that the monkeys raised without the comfort of the cloth mother displayed signs of severe emotional distress, exhibiting behaviors such as self-harm and social withdrawal. This emotional distress challenged the behaviorist perspective, which downplayed the significance of emotions and focused solely on observable behaviors.

Long-Term Implications

Harlow’s work had profound implications for understanding the long-term effects of early attachment experiences. The emotional damage observed in the monkeys raised without maternal comfort highlighted the importance of emotional bonding and secure attachments for psychological well-being, something not adequately addressed by behaviorism.

Conclusion

Harlow’s Monkey Experiment stands as a pivotal moment in psychology, particularly in its contradiction of the Behaviorist viewpoint. By demonstrating that infant monkeys prioritize emotional comfort and attachment over basic physiological needs like food, Harlow challenged the reductionist principles of behaviorism. This experiment laid the foundation for the development of attachment theory and paved the way for a more holistic understanding of human psychology that recognizes the importance of emotions, relationships, and social bonds in shaping our behavior and well-being.