Harlow and the Behaviouralists

    Harlow wanted to test the hypothesis between the role of attachment that food plays in and the attachment of the mother based on their comfort and security. He found that the monkey, when frightened was more inclined to go towards the soft clothed object, regardless of whether the figure was holding food or not. His research finds that attachment is formed when comfort and security are present. Behaviourists would think that the monkey would go to the wired object when frightened simply because provided food. This would be expected from a behaviourist because they would believe that attachment is formed based on nurture of the environment.  Harlow's research is  damaging to the behaviorist view because behaviourist do not believe that the mind plays a role in attachment. However, Harlow's research implies that attachment is more then just supplying the need of food to survive but that attachment is formed based on emotions and that need for security .