Harry
Harlow was born in Fairfield, Iowa and was educated in the
field of Ethology, or the study of primates. He spent
his entire professional career teaching at the University of
Wisconsin from 1930-1974. His focus of research was on
the learning abilities in primates and he observed the
phenomenon of 'learning to learn.' His work with infant
monkeys and their surrogate mothers (terrycloth dummies)
demonstrated the importance of bonding between primate mothers
and infants for emotional health and growth. He found
that although other surrogate mothers provided nourishment,
the infants preferred the 'warm and fuzzy' surrogate mother
and without this interaction had emotional and physical
difficulties later in life.
The
information provided on this site is designed to support, not
replace, the relationship that exists between a patient, site
visitor, or student and his/her existing psychologist, mental
health provider or college instructor.
Harry
Harlow was born in Fairfield, Iowa and was educated in the
field of Ethology, or the study of primates. He spent
his entire professional career teaching at the University of
Wisconsin from 1930-1974. His focus of research was on
the learning abilities in primates and he observed the
phenomenon of 'learning to learn.' His work with infant
monkeys and their surrogate mothers (terrycloth dummies)
demonstrated the importance of bonding between primate mothers
and infants for emotional health and growth. He found
that although other surrogate mothers provided nourishment,
the infants preferred the 'warm and fuzzy' surrogate mother
and without this interaction had emotional and physical
difficulties later in life.