Social Psychology theory & Experiments
Rutter's Romanian Orphans
Ainsworth's Strange Situation
Harlow's attachement theory
Bandura's BoBo Doll
Tronick's Still-Face
Exit Ticket
Tronick — Still-Face Experiment (1978)
In 1978, psychologist Edward Tronick created the Still-Face Experiment to demonstrate how infants respond to caregiver interaction. During the study, a mother first engaged warmly with her baby, then suddenly held a blank, unresponsive expression. Almost immediately, the infant became distressed, crying, pointing, and trying to re-engage the mother. This simple but powerful experiment showed that babies rely on caregiver responsiveness for emotional regulation, and even brief disruptions can strongly affect their sense of security.
Harlow- Cloth Vs. Wire Mothers (1950s)
In the 1950s, psychologist Harry Harlow conducted a famous study on attachment using baby rhesus monkeys. The monkeys were given two surrogate “mothers”: one made of bare wire that provided food, and another covered in soft cloth that provided no food. Even when fed by the wire mother, the monkeys spent most of their time clinging to the cloth mother, especially when frightened. This showed that comfort and emotional security, not just food, are essential for healthy attachment. Harlow’s work demonstrated the importance of love, touch, and responsiveness in early development and shaped modern understanding of how early relationships influence emotional and social growth.
Ainsworth's Strange Situation (1970s)
In 1978, psychologist Mary Ainsworth developed the Strange Situation to study how infants form attachments to their caregivers. In this experiment, a baby was observed during a series of separations and reunions with their mother in a playroom. Some infants cried but were comforted quickly when their mother returned (secure attachment), while others avoided or resisted her (insecure attachment). Ainsworth’s work revealed distinct attachment styles and showed that the quality of early caregiver responsiveness strongly shapes a child’s sense of security and later relationships.
Rutter — Romanian Orphan Studies (1990s)
In the 1990s, psychologist Michael Rutter studied children who had been raised in severely deprived Romanian orphanages and later adopted into families in the U.K. Many of the children who experienced extreme neglect showed developmental delays, emotional difficulties, and trouble forming attachments. However, those adopted at younger ages often recovered remarkably well, while older children continued to struggle. Rutter’s findings highlighted the long-term impact of early deprivation and the importance of early, nurturing care for healthy social and emotional development.
Watch the video!
Bandura's Bobo Doll (1960s)
In the early 1960s, psychologist Albert Bandura explored how children learn through observation and imitation. In his famous Bobo Doll Experiment, children watched adults interact with an inflatable clown doll. Some adults behaved aggressively—hitting, kicking, and yelling at the doll—while others acted calmly. When later given a chance to play, children who had observed aggression were far more likely to imitate those behaviors. Bandura’s study showed that children learn social behaviors by watching and modeling others, highlighting the power of role models and the influence of media on behavior.
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Social Psychology
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Transcript
Social Psychology theory & Experiments
Rutter's Romanian Orphans
Ainsworth's Strange Situation
Harlow's attachement theory
Bandura's BoBo Doll
Tronick's Still-Face
Exit Ticket
Tronick — Still-Face Experiment (1978)
In 1978, psychologist Edward Tronick created the Still-Face Experiment to demonstrate how infants respond to caregiver interaction. During the study, a mother first engaged warmly with her baby, then suddenly held a blank, unresponsive expression. Almost immediately, the infant became distressed, crying, pointing, and trying to re-engage the mother. This simple but powerful experiment showed that babies rely on caregiver responsiveness for emotional regulation, and even brief disruptions can strongly affect their sense of security.
Harlow- Cloth Vs. Wire Mothers (1950s)
In the 1950s, psychologist Harry Harlow conducted a famous study on attachment using baby rhesus monkeys. The monkeys were given two surrogate “mothers”: one made of bare wire that provided food, and another covered in soft cloth that provided no food. Even when fed by the wire mother, the monkeys spent most of their time clinging to the cloth mother, especially when frightened. This showed that comfort and emotional security, not just food, are essential for healthy attachment. Harlow’s work demonstrated the importance of love, touch, and responsiveness in early development and shaped modern understanding of how early relationships influence emotional and social growth.
Ainsworth's Strange Situation (1970s)
In 1978, psychologist Mary Ainsworth developed the Strange Situation to study how infants form attachments to their caregivers. In this experiment, a baby was observed during a series of separations and reunions with their mother in a playroom. Some infants cried but were comforted quickly when their mother returned (secure attachment), while others avoided or resisted her (insecure attachment). Ainsworth’s work revealed distinct attachment styles and showed that the quality of early caregiver responsiveness strongly shapes a child’s sense of security and later relationships.
Rutter — Romanian Orphan Studies (1990s)
In the 1990s, psychologist Michael Rutter studied children who had been raised in severely deprived Romanian orphanages and later adopted into families in the U.K. Many of the children who experienced extreme neglect showed developmental delays, emotional difficulties, and trouble forming attachments. However, those adopted at younger ages often recovered remarkably well, while older children continued to struggle. Rutter’s findings highlighted the long-term impact of early deprivation and the importance of early, nurturing care for healthy social and emotional development.
Watch the video!
Bandura's Bobo Doll (1960s)
In the early 1960s, psychologist Albert Bandura explored how children learn through observation and imitation. In his famous Bobo Doll Experiment, children watched adults interact with an inflatable clown doll. Some adults behaved aggressively—hitting, kicking, and yelling at the doll—while others acted calmly. When later given a chance to play, children who had observed aggression were far more likely to imitate those behaviors. Bandura’s study showed that children learn social behaviors by watching and modeling others, highlighting the power of role models and the influence of media on behavior.
EXIT TICKET