A - explanations of attachment: learning theory (AO3)

Question 1

What’s a limitation of the learning theory explanation of attachment? - Directly challenging empirical evidence

Answer 1

===> Harlow (1958) used rhesus monkeys and 2 conditions of surrogate mother. Infant monkeys preferred cloth mother w/o milk to wire mother w/ milk. High internal validity due to controlled setting to establish cause-and-effect relationship between DV (time spent with mother) and IV (type of surrogate mother)

Question 2

What’s a limitation of the learning theory explanation of attachment? - Research suggests infants form attachments based on caregiver responsiveness

Answer 2

===> Schaffer and Emerson (1964) observed 60 babies in Glasgow for a year. Attachments formed to responsive caregivers, not those that provided the care (more than 50%). Not just food (UCS) associated with mother (NS) so too reductionist to explain complex nature of attachment

Question 3

What’s a limitation of the learning theory explanation of attachment? - Struggle to explain attachment in adult romantic relationships

Answer 3

===> Unlikely we form attachments based on food. Hay and Vespo (with social learning theory) proposed attachments are formed based on imitating parent (hugging). Approval (reward) for behaviour means child shows it on their own and explains why it carries on to childhood

Question 4

What’s a limitation of the learning theory explanation of attachment? - Environmentally reductionist

Answer 4

===> Suggests humans attach through a stimulus - response link of food. Too simplistic to explain complex attachment behaviours. Ignores biological drive to attach as identified by Bowlby and emotional factors involved in attachment (found by research and caregiver sensitivity). Harlow’s research shows that mammalian attachments are highly emotional