Harry harlow's generalization .

Human bonding can be defined as the interpersonal relationship with one another. Normally it takes place with the family members or the friends. It is a mutual interactive process and is different from “Liking”. In other words, it can also be concluded as “attachment”. Emotion, affection and trust are equally important in attachment or bond relationship.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE BONDING RELATIONSHIP FOR THE CHILDREN?

In the 1950s, Harry Harlow of the University of Wisconsin tested infant dependency using rhesus monkeys in his experiments rather than human babies. The monkey was removed from its actual mother which was replaced with two “mothers,” one made of cloth and one made of wire. The cloth “mother” served no purpose other than its comforting feel whereas the wire “mother” fed the monkey through a bottle. The monkey spent the majority of his day next to the cloth “mother” and only around one hour a day next to the wire “mother,” despite the association between the wire model and food. This shows that the bond between mother and infant was not solely based on whether the former is able to give the latter’s physiological needs.

Furthermore, the results of the experiment showed that while the infants from both groups consumed the same amount of milk from their mother, the infants who grew up with the terry cloth mother exhibited emotional attachment and what is considered as normal behavior when presented with stressful variables. Whenever they felt threatened, they would come close to the terry cloth mother and cuddle with it until the monkeys were calm.

Harlow’s Monkey experiment reinforced the importance of mother-and-child bonding. Moreover, it was found that the establishment of bond between the infant and his or her mother is not purely dependent on the satisfaction of one’s physiological needs (warmth, safety, food), but also emotional (acceptance, love, affection).

The above experiment of Harlow and research support the importance of bonding between the mother/caregiver and the child. The children are inherently innocent. Beside the physiological needs, they are also longing for the love, affection, motivation and empathy. By experiencing such attributes and behaviors, the children construct the personality in the later life. It is crucial to feel the children and give them the unconditional love.