At - Explanations of attachment: Learning theory Flashcards
What is classical conditioning?
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.
What is learning theory?
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.
What is operant conditioning?
Learning through reinforcement.
What is social learning theory?
Learning through observing others and imitating behaviours that are rewarded.
What are the steps of classical conditioning in attachment?
BEFORE CONDITIONING:
Food (UCS) –> Pleasure
Mother (NS) –> No response
DURING CONDITIONING:
NS and UCS paired
AFTER CONDITIONING:
NS is now CS –> Pleasure (CR)
What does learning theory suggest about infants and their behaviour?
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.
Who put forward learning theory of attachment?
Behaviourists
Who first investigated classical conditioning?
Pavlov
Explain why in terms of classical conditioning in attachment, that the mother (NS) becomes the CS:
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.
What forms in classical conditioning?
Stimulus-response bonds.
Who first investigated operant conditioning?
Skinner
Who offered an explanation of attachment based on operant theory and drive reduction theory?
Dollard and Neal Miller (1950)
What is a drive?
Something that motivates behaviour.
What is a there a drive for when an animal feels uncomfortable?
To reduce discomfort.
What is there a drive for when an infant is hungry?
To reduce the accompanying discomfort.
What happens to drive when the infant is fed?
The drive is reduced and this produces a feeling of pleasure - negative reinforcement (escaping from something unpleasant).
What are the primary and secondary reinforcers in operant conditioning of attachment?
Primary reinforcer = food as it supplies the reward.
Secondary reinforcer = the person who supplies the food.
Why does attachment occur through operant conditioning?
Because the child seeks the person who can supply the reward - e.g. food.
Who first developed SLT?
Bandura
Who said that SLT and modeling could be used to explain attachment behaviours?
Dale Hay and Jo Vespo (1988).
Explain SLT in attachment
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.
What are the explanations of attachment?
Learning theory - SLT, operant and classical conditioning.
Bowlby’s theory.
