A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

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What is the primary factor that leads to the development of attachment, according to Harlow's research?

Provision of food
Emotional comfort through tactile comfort
Social interaction with peers
Genetic predisposition for attachment

The correct answer is: Emotional comfort through tactile comfort

Harlow's research highlighted the importance of emotional comfort in attachment formation, particularly through tactile comfort. In his famous studies with rhesus monkeys, he demonstrated that the infant monkeys preferred to spend more time with a soft, cloth-covered surrogate mother that provided no food, rather than with a wire mother that offered nourishment but lacked warmth and comfort. This indicated that the need for emotional closeness and security significantly outweighed the basic need for food. Harlow concluded that attachment is primarily driven by the emotional bonds formed through physical touch and comfort, illustrating that social and emotional needs are fundamental factors in the development of attachment, rather than merely biological or feeding needs.