Grand Theory Paper: Harry Harlow

Harry Israel—he would not have his well-known surname until later on—was born on of all days—considering his personality—on Halloween evening, October 31st, 1905, at his home in Fairfield, Iowa. He was of course fascinated with science and experimenting even at a young age—he owned a child’s porcelain potty when he was a child and he would experiment with dropping a large stone to see what would happen. Harry would recount in his later years that he hit “rock bottom”—he was a man who knew no bounds in effortless puns and unorthodox humor, especially given his astounding-unorthodox theories that went totally against the then current dogma of the theory known as behaviorism (Blum 9).

Harry Harlow’s parents, Alonzo Harlow Israel and Mable Rock Israel were good parents who wanted a better future for their kids. Alonzo Harlow, Harlow was just like him in personality, was a misfit—(as some described him to be). Alonzo Harlow wanted to be a doctor; however, his goals were set aside as he met his true love, Mable Israel. Harlow most certainly followed his dads’ high ambitions by acquiring a PhD in Psychology; indeed, he acquired some of his phenotype from his dad—namely, high ambition. Harries life was one that was filled with poverty, as his parents could not afford much of anything due to the fact that they did not complete college and had meager jobs. However, they instilled in their kids a sense of achieving a higher standard for themselves—thus, self-actualization was what they wanted their kids to achieve. Harry learned affection through his parents—they were loving and caring parents whom, even though they did not have a lot of money, would provide for their kids emotionally. However, Harries brother, Delmer, would fall ill due...

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...s theory will continue to influence as long as we exist, it is also ever-present in the annals of psychology, psychiatry, and child development.

Works Cited

Blum, Deborah. Love at Goon Park: Harry Harlow and the Science of Affection. New York, Persues Publishing, 2002. Print.

Suomi, Stephen J., Frank C. P. Van der Horst, and René Van der Veer. Rigorous Experiments On Monkey Love: An Account of Harry F. Harlow’s Role In The History Of Attachment Theory. Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science 42.4 (2008): 354-369. Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 Feb. 2012.

Van der Horst, Frank C. P., Helen A. LeRoy, and René Van der Veer. When Strangers Meet”: John Bowlby And Harry Harlow On Attachment Behavior. Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science 42.4 (2008): 370-388. Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 Feb. 2012.