What did Harlow's studies reveal about monkeys raised solely with wire mothers?

Harlow's studies with rhesus monkeys provided crucial insights into the importance of nurturing and social contact in early development. Monkeys raised exclusively with wire mothers, who provided no comfort or emotional support, exhibited significant deficits in their social behaviors. These monkeys were less socially adept when compared to those raised with a cloth mother, which provided both food and a sense of security.

The wire mothers served merely as a source of nourishment, lacking any form of warmth or emotional connection. As a result, the monkeys showed difficulties in forming relationships and interacting appropriately with other monkeys. They often displayed anxious behaviors and struggled with social markers typical of their species, reinforcing the idea that emotional nurturance is critical for healthy social development.