Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Harlow's experiment refers to a famous study conducted by psychologist Harry Harlow in which he investigated the importance of maternal contact and comfort for infant monkeys.
Related terms
Attachment theory: Attachment theory explains how infants form emotional bonds with their caregivers based on factors like responsiveness and physical contact.
Contact comfort: Contact comfort refers to the positive emotions that arise from physical touch and closeness between an infant and their caregiver.
Critical period: Critical period is a specific timeframe during development when certain experiences are most important for normal development. In the case of bonding, there is a critical period for forming attachments with caregivers.