9. Explanations Of Attachment: learning theory AO1 Flashcards
What is the cupboard love explanation?
It emphasises the importance of food in attachment formation, children learn to love who ever feeds them.
What does classical conditioning involve?
Learning to associate two stimuli
What is an unconditioned response?
This response is not learned so it is therefore unconditioned
Outline the process of classical conditioning
Unconditioned stimulus –> unconditioned response
Unconditioned stimulus + neutral stimulus –> unconditioned response
Conditioned stimulus –> conditioned response
What does operant conditioning explain?
Why babies cry for comfort - this is an important building block for attachment
Why do babies cry?
Crying leads to a response from the caregiver such as feeding
How is crying reinforced?
As long as the caregiver provides the correct response, crying is reinforced because it produces a pleasurable consequence
What is negative reinforcement?
A response or behaviour is strengthened by avoiding a negative outcome
What happens to the caregiver at the same time as the baby is reinforced for crying?
The caregiver receives negative reinforcement because the crying stops
What strengthens and attachment?
This interplay of positive/negative reinforcement
What does interplay of positive/negative reinforcement lead to?
An attachment being strengthened
What is the learning theory and alternative to?
Evolutionary theories of attachment
Outline the learning theory
Evolutionary theory say we are innately programmed to form attachments, learning theories say that we learn to attach - and we do so because of food
Who studied the learning theory?
Dollard and Miller
What is a primary drive
An innate biological motivator - eating to reduce hunger
