In a contemporary replication of Harlow's surrogate-mother paradigm, infant macaques are housed with two artificial mothers: a wire frame dispensing milk and a cloth-covered frame providing no food. Researchers record clinging time, and they introduce a startling mechanical spider to assess where the infant flees.
Based on Harlow's original findings, the infant monkeys most likely:
- A
Spend most time on the wire mother because she provides nourishment
- B
Avoid both mothers in favor of solitary exploration
- Ccheck_circle
Spend most time on the cloth mother and flee to her when frightened
- D
Show no preference between mothers
Explanation
Harlow showed contact comfort, not feeding, drove attachment: infants clung to the cloth mother and used her as a safe haven when frightened.