2. The Pit of Despair
This interesting experiment took place in the 1970’s at the University of Wisconsin and was also conducted by doctor Harlow (same person who conducted experiment #8 on the list). The scientific name of the device used in this experiment was called the Vertical chamber; and was tested using macaque monkeys. The main aim of this experiment was to see if depression could be induced in species besides humans. The procedure consisted of taking an infant macaque monkey and then placing them in the vertical chamber for periods of between three months and one year. Many speculate that Doctor Harlows’ interest came after his wife had passed away in 1971, and Harlow had begun suffering from depression. After he got over her death and got back to work, his interest changed from maternal bonding experiments which were already deranged to isolation. After finding that the monkeys would huddle by themselves in a corner, fail to develop social interaction, and become depressed; he then mated the monkeys with normal monkeys using a device called a “monkey rape rack” However, after the depressed monkeys gave birth, they often either completely ignored their offspring, or worse; began to torment their offspring by holding them down, chewing off their fingers, or crushing their heads.
