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14
1
E
Erica
02/12/2025
Psychology
Animal studies of attachment
Lorenz's Research on Imprinting
You've probably seen adorable videos of baby ducks following someone around - this behaviour is called imprinting, and Lorenz was the first to study it properly. He divided goose eggs so half hatched with their natural mother whilst the other half hatched in an incubator where Lorenz was the first moving thing they saw.
The results were remarkable: the goslings followed whatever they saw first, whether it was their actual mother or Lorenz himself. This critical period for bonding happens very early in a bird's life and seemed permanent.
But here's where it gets weird - Lorenz also discovered sexual imprinting. Birds that had imprinted on humans later tried to mate with humans instead of their own species! However, later research by Guiton showed that chickens who'd imprinted on washing-up gloves could eventually learn to mate normally with other chickens.
Key Point: Whilst imprinting appears strong, it might not be as permanent as Lorenz originally thought, especially for mating behaviour.
Harlow's Research on Contact Comfort
Harlow's monkey experiments might sound harsh, but they revolutionised our understanding of what babies actually need from their parents. He gave 16 baby monkeys two artificial mothers - one made of plain wire and another covered in soft cloth.
The breakthrough finding was that monkeys always preferred the cloth mother for comfort, even when the wire mother provided food. This proved that contact comfort matters more than just being fed - babies need physical affection, not just nutrition.
The long-term effects were devastating for deprived monkeys. Those raised with only wire mothers became aggressive, couldn't mate properly, and often neglected or killed their own babies. Harlow found that monkeys needed a mother figure within 90 days for normal development.
These studies helped social workers understand child abuse risk factors and showed the importance of early bonding. However, the research involved significant animal suffering, raising serious ethical questions about whether such knowledge justifies the methods used.
Remember: Harlow's work proved that emotional bonds are built on comfort and affection, not just meeting basic survival needs.
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Attachment in Animals: Key Psychological Studies
Ever wondered why baby animals follow their mothers around or why human babies cry when separated from their parents? Animal studies of attachment reveal fascinating insights into how emotional bonds form early in life, and these discoveries have shaped our... Show more
Lorenz's Research on Imprinting
You've probably seen adorable videos of baby ducks following someone around - this behaviour is called imprinting, and Lorenz was the first to study it properly. He divided goose eggs so half hatched with their natural mother whilst the other half hatched in an incubator where Lorenz was the first moving thing they saw.
The results were remarkable: the goslings followed whatever they saw first, whether it was their actual mother or Lorenz himself. This critical period for bonding happens very early in a bird's life and seemed permanent.
But here's where it gets weird - Lorenz also discovered sexual imprinting. Birds that had imprinted on humans later tried to mate with humans instead of their own species! However, later research by Guiton showed that chickens who'd imprinted on washing-up gloves could eventually learn to mate normally with other chickens.
Key Point: Whilst imprinting appears strong, it might not be as permanent as Lorenz originally thought, especially for mating behaviour.
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Harlow's Research on Contact Comfort
Harlow's monkey experiments might sound harsh, but they revolutionised our understanding of what babies actually need from their parents. He gave 16 baby monkeys two artificial mothers - one made of plain wire and another covered in soft cloth.
The breakthrough finding was that monkeys always preferred the cloth mother for comfort, even when the wire mother provided food. This proved that contact comfort matters more than just being fed - babies need physical affection, not just nutrition.
The long-term effects were devastating for deprived monkeys. Those raised with only wire mothers became aggressive, couldn't mate properly, and often neglected or killed their own babies. Harlow found that monkeys needed a mother figure within 90 days for normal development.
These studies helped social workers understand child abuse risk factors and showed the importance of early bonding. However, the research involved significant animal suffering, raising serious ethical questions about whether such knowledge justifies the methods used.
Remember: Harlow's work proved that emotional bonds are built on comfort and affection, not just meeting basic survival needs.
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Where can I download the Knowunity app?
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Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
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Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user