At - Explanations of attachment: Learning theory

Question 1

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 1

Learning through association. A neutral stimulus is consistently paired with an unconditioned stimulus so that it eventually takes place on the properties of this stimulus and is able to produce a conditioned response.

Question 2

What is learning theory?

Answer 2

The name given to a group of explanations (classical and operant conditioning), which explain behaviour in terms of learning rather than any inborn tendencies or higher order thinking.

Question 3

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 3

Learning through reinforcement.

Question 4

What is social learning theory?

Answer 4

Learning through observing others and imitating behaviours that are rewarded.

Question 5

What are the steps of classical conditioning in attachment?

Answer 5

BEFORE CONDITIONING:
Food (UCS) –> Pleasure
Mother (NS) –> No response

DURING CONDITIONING:
NS and UCS paired

AFTER CONDITIONING:
NS is now CS –> Pleasure (CR)

Question 6

What does learning theory suggest about infants and their behaviour?

Answer 6

All behaviour is learned rather than inborn. When children are born they are ‘blank slates’ and everything they become can be explained in terms of the experiences they have.

Question 7

Who put forward learning theory of attachment?

Answer 7

Behaviourists

Question 8

Who first investigated classical conditioning?

Answer 8

Pavlov

Question 9

Explain why in terms of classical conditioning in attachment, that the mother (NS) becomes the CS:

Answer 9

The innate stimulus if food (UCS) which produces the innate response of pleasure (UCR).

During an infant’s early weeks and months certain things become associated with food because they are present at the time when the infant is fed - (NS).

If any neutral stimulus is regularly and consistently associated with a UCS, it takes on the properties of the UCS and will produce the same response. So the NS now becomes a learned or conditioned stimulus (CS) and produces a CR.

Question 10

What forms in classical conditioning?

Answer 10

Stimulus-response bonds.

Question 11

Who first investigated operant conditioning?

Answer 11

Skinner

Question 12

Who offered an explanation of attachment based on operant theory and drive reduction theory?

Answer 12

Dollard and Neal Miller (1950)

Question 13

What is a drive?

Answer 13

Something that motivates behaviour.

Question 14

What is a there a drive for when an animal feels uncomfortable?

Answer 14

To reduce discomfort.

Question 15

What is there a drive for when an infant is hungry?

Answer 15

To reduce the accompanying discomfort.

Question 16

What happens to drive when the infant is fed?

Answer 16

The drive is reduced and this produces a feeling of pleasure - negative reinforcement (escaping from something unpleasant).

Question 17

What are the primary and secondary reinforcers in operant conditioning of attachment?

Answer 17

Primary reinforcer = food as it supplies the reward.

Secondary reinforcer = the person who supplies the food.

Question 18

Why does attachment occur through operant conditioning?

Answer 18

Because the child seeks the person who can supply the reward - e.g. food.

Question 19

Who first developed SLT?

Answer 19

Bandura

Question 20

Who said that SLT and modeling could be used to explain attachment behaviours?

Answer 20

Dale Hay and Jo Vespo (1988).

Question 21

Explain SLT in attachment

Answer 21

Children observe their parents’ affectionate behaviour and imitate this. Parents would also deliberately instruct their children about how to behave in relationships and reward appropriate attachment behaviours such as giving kisses and hugs.

Question 22

What are the explanations of attachment?

Answer 22

Learning theory - SLT, operant and classical conditioning.

Bowlby’s theory.