What was a significant finding from Harlow's monkey studies?

Harlow's monkey studies provided profound insights into the nature of attachment and its significance in development. The finding that monkeys preferred the soft cloth mother over the wire mother highlighted the importance of comfort and emotional security over the mere provision of nourishment. In Harlow's experiments, one mother was made of soft cloth while the other was a bare wire figure that provided food. The monkeys consistently spent more time clinging to the cloth mother, seeking warmth and comfort, despite the fact that the wire mother could offer them food.

This preference underscores the emotional and social components of attachment, indicating that the need for comfort and security can be more critical than the basic physiological needs, such as hunger. Harlow's work emphasized that relationships and emotional bonds are essential for the healthy psychological development of young animals—and by extension, humans—shaping our understanding of attachment theory and the importance of nurturing in child development.

The other options do not accurately reflect the findings of Harlow's research on the nature of attachment and maternal preference in primate behavior.