Social_Isolation

Harry Harlow Total Social Isolation A review of his work on maternal separation, and social isolation experiments on monkeys. Joan Weeks Socialology 144 Professor McIntosh October 13, 2010 Social Isolation 2 In the 1960s, Harry Harlow expressed interest in the experimentation of love and the attachment between child and mother. Harry Harlow conducted a series of experiments using rhesus monkeys to explore the importance of the comfort bonds and emotional connections formed between mother and infant. This literature review examines the emotional affects that can occur when the comfort bond between mother and child are absent. Harry Harlow an American psychologist born October 31, 1905. Harlow grew up in Fairfield, Iowa. He was born as Harry Israel, only after receiving his PHD, did he change his name to Harry Harlow. He was married twice with 2 children from each marriage. He received numerous awards including the Howard Crosby Warren Medal in 1956. The national medal of science in 1967 and the gold medal from the American psychological foundation in 1973. (Public broadcasting services (1995 -2011) people and discoveries) . Harry worked with Abraham Maslow at Wisconsin regional primate lab. Harlow was intrigued by love. In 1957 Harlow worked with rhesus monkeys, which are more mature at birth than humans are, but like human babies need to be nursed. Harlow’s studied the effects on rhesus monkeys by separating new boron’s from their mothers just hours after birth and monitored their behaviors from three, six and twelve months of age. Harlow measured and compared the effects of total Social isolation to that of partial isolation on that of equal aged monkeys raised in individual chambers. His experiments were designed to test the importance of the variables of contact comfort and nursing comfort. Surrogate mothers where designed and constructed, one made from a block of wood, covered with sponge rubber, and cotton terry cloth, and a light bulb behind her to provide heat. The second was nothing more than wire mess to provide postural support and equipped with a bottle to provide nutrition, the surrogate with nursing ability’s was also warmed by a light bulb placed behind her. During this experiment the totally isolated monkeys had absolutely no contact of any kind at all. Social Isolation 3 The surrogate mothers were placed in different cubicles attached to the living cages. The monkeys received all its milk through the surrogate mother. The monkeys were always free to contact either surrogate mother, and the time spent on either mother was automatically recorded. The data showed that contact comfort is a variable of overwhelming importance in the development of affectional response. The semi social isolated monkeys were housed in crude wire cages in a laboratory nursery with both visual and sound stimuli of one another. The surrounding environment of the living cages was sound-masked however loud noises could still be heard from the corridor and awareness of these sounds was noted to cause fear, and the monkeys would respond by freezing. The data retrieved from the groups that had been totally isolated for three months showed emotional shock and fear. However, over time, they learned to associate with the semi isolated groups. They were able to adapt and began to show normal social behaviors. The groups that had been in total isolation for up to six months however, showed aggressive behaviors while interacting within a group setting. And the group that had been totally isolated for up to twelve month showed no play, or aggressive behavior, there behavior was that of insecurity and a high level of fear within a group setting. Harlow’s findings in the groups, from six months of age indicated that the total social isolation was different, were as this group was able to adjust adequately to that of equal aged playmates. Social Isolation 4 Harlow’s findings in the total insolated groups of the six and twelve month aged monkeys, although not significant, showed more aggressiveness then that of the semi-isolated groups. How ever both the total isolated groups showed a lack of aggression compared to the semi-isolated groups. The effects on the monkeys learning abilities in the study was measured showing that the six month semi-isolated monkey’s ability to solve learning problems was higher then the six month total isolated, and the six month isolated was higher then that of the twelve month isolated. Harlow concluded that all the socially isolated monkeys were able to learn successfully after being removed from the social isolation cages. He was unable to supply any learning data on the totally isolated groups of monkeys for no contact of any kind was made during total isolation experimentation periods. Harlow’s continuation of work with rhesus monkeys found that young monkeys reared by birth mothers, who had younger peers where able to play and socialize with others. Those with substitute mothering were slower, however, where able to adapt socially within a years time. Babies raised with real mothers and no peers or playmates showed more aggressiveness and displayed more fear, and those without playmates and real mothers showed an inability to socially interact, and when older were often unable to successfully mate, and those monkeys who did successfully mate and reproduce were neglectful of their babies. Harlow’s experiments on monkeys in relation to social interaction and behaviors offers proof that emotional support, affection and love is a vital element and an important part necessary in normal development. Social Isolation 5 Take for instance the case of Ann born to a mentally retarded woman in Pennsylvania. Passed from one welfare agency to another until her mother could no Longer afford to pay, she was returned home where she was kept in a storage shed isolated with almost no human contact for five years. It was sociologist Kingsley Davis who found her; he was stunned at the girl’s condition and her unresponsiveness as if all alone. She received medical care and started to make very slow progress at the age of eight her mental abilities was that of a two year old. She was almost ten before she began speaking words. It was unknown whether or not Anna had any mental impairments, Anna died at the age of ten do to a blood disorder Harlow’s work helped influence important changes in how we as humans and child care providers approach the care of children in today’s society. I find that our children inherit some of their behavioral foundations and patterns from there parents. Clearly understanding the role communication has with Children also plays a great role in early development. Children learn what they see; they mimic our action, words and attitudes. They look to their parents for guidance, stability and reassurances. Parents provide training that promote healthy development, learn self-disciplines and develop respect for them self and others. If we were to isolated our children from these every day interaction as Harlow did with his monkey’s depriving them of the natural relationship Associated with learned developmental skills chances that they would be able to function well in today’s society is very unlikely. Harry Harlow’s Total Isolation References Total Social Isolation in Monkeys Journal List > Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A > v.54(1); Jul 1965 By Harry F. Harlow, Robert O. Doodsworth, and Margret K. Harlow Department of Psychology Primate Laboratory and Regional Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin Read before the Academy April 28, 1965 Public Broadcasting Services1995 -2011 People and Discoveries Harry Harlow Retrieved from pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/bhharl.html October 20, 2022 Sociologist Kingsley Davis 1940 Case of Anna . . .