Attachment 3 | Explanations of attachment Flashcards
AO1 What does learning theory suggest about attachment?
Learning theory suggests that attachment is learned through classical and operant conditioning where food is the primary reinforcer and the caregiver becomes associated with food becoming the secondary reinforcer
AO1 What is classical conditioning in attachment according to learning theory?
Classical conditioning involves associating the caregiver with the pleasure of food so the caregiver becomes a conditioned stimulus that elicits a conditioned response of pleasure
AO1 What is operant conditioning in attachment according to learning theory?
Operant conditioning suggests that crying leads to a response from the caregiver such as feeding which acts as positive reinforcement for the infant and negative reinforcement for the caregiver
AO1 What is Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment?
Bowlby proposed that infants form one special attachment called monotropy to a primary caregiver usually the mother which is essential for healthy psychological development
AO1 What are social releasers in Bowlby’s theory?
Social releasers are innate infant behaviours such as smiling or crying that trigger a caregiving response from adults to promote attachment
AO1 What is the critical period in Bowlby’s theory?
The critical period is a biologically determined time within the first 2 years when an attachment must form or it will be much harder or impossible to form one later
AO1 What is the internal working model according to Bowlby?
The internal working model is a mental representation of the first attachment relationship which forms a template for future relationships and expectations about trust and care
AO3 What is a key criticism of learning theory based on animal studies?
Harlow found that monkeys preferred comfort over food which contradicts learning theory suggesting attachment is not formed through feeding but through emotional comfort
AO3 How can learning theory still be considered partially useful?
Learning theory may still explain how caregiver behaviour is reinforced through operant conditioning such as responding to crying even if food is not the primary factor in forming attachment
AO3 What research supports Bowlby’s concept of social releasers?
Brazelton found that infants became distressed when their social releasers were ignored supporting Bowlby’s idea that these behaviours are essential for attachment
AO3 What evidence supports the internal working model?
Hazan and Shaver found that secure childhood attachments predicted secure adult romantic relationships supporting Bowlby’s idea of the internal working model affecting future relationships
AO3 What evidence questions the rigidity of Bowlby’s critical period?
Rutter found that Romanian orphans could form attachments after 2 years although with more difficulty suggesting the critical period may be better seen as a sensitive period
