What did Harlow's experiment aim to determine about attachment?

Harlow's experiment aimed to explore the nature of attachment by determining whether monkeys would form attachments to a comfort figure rather than a food source. In his famous studies with rhesus monkeys, Harlow provided the animals with two surrogate mothers: one made of wire that provided food and another covered in soft cloth that offered comfort. The findings revealed that the monkeys overwhelmingly preferred the soft, comforting mother over the wire mother, even when the latter was the source of nourishment. This demonstrated that attachment is strongly influenced by comfort and emotional security, rather than just the provision of basic needs such as food.

This experiment highlighted the importance of emotional connections in social and psychological development, particularly in young children. It emphasized how comfort and nurturing significantly contribute to forming secure attachments, shaping our understanding of child-rearing practices and the emotional needs of infants.