Attachment (Explanation of attachment: learning theory)

Question 1

This as a learning theory of attachment -

Answer 1

All learning theory proposes that all behaviour is learnt rather than being innate, put forward by behaviourists to focus solely their attention on behaviour and they believe it can be explained through both conditioning methods

Question 2

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 2

When a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus through repeated association through an unconditioned stimulus.

Question 3

In attachment who is the NS?

Answer 3

Mother

Question 4

In attachment who is the UCS?

Answer 4

The food

Question 5

What is the acquisition phase?

Answer 5

The association of the NS and UCS for the NS to become a CS and bring about the same response as the UCS but this time as the previous NS by itself. This allows them to become a conditioned stimulus from it being just the mother and now brings about a CR from the baby.

Question 6

Operant conditioning (brief)

Answer 6

Learning through reinforcement

Question 7

Operant conditioning

Answer 7

Operant conditioning explain a way of drive reduction theory by Dollard and Miller. A ‘drive’ is something that motivates behaviour. When an infants is fed it reduces drive and produces pleasure. This is rewarding and known as negative reinforcement being removed from the something was unpleasant. If an infant is fed it is more likely for them to be repeated in the future as this was rewarding. Classical conditioning involves the person who supplied the food as removing discomfort and becomes a reinforcer. Attachment forms because the infant seeks who can supply the reward. Attachment occurs because the child seeks the person who can supply the reward. Food becomes the primary reinforcer.

Question 8

Positive reinforcement

Answer 8

When we learn to repeat a behaviour to get a rewarding outcome.

Question 9

Negative reinforcement

Answer 9

When we learn to repeat a behaviour with a unrewarding outcome.

Question 10

Positive reinforcement for learning theory of attachment - (up-learn sentence)

Answer 10

The action of staying near a caregiver is reinforced by positive reinforcement as babies learn they get food when they stay near their caregiver.

Question 11

Negative reinforcement for learning theory of attachment - (up-learn sentence)

Answer 11

The action of staying near a caregiver is reinforced by negative reinforcement as babies learn they can reduce hunger by staying close to their caregiver.

Question 12

learning theory is believable - strength

Answer 12

Dollard and Miller found that babies get fed over 2000 times a year, suggesting that babies have multiple opportunities in the first year to associate getting food with the mother

Question 13

Attachment is not based on food - limitation

Answer 13

LT suggests that for the key element of attachment to form, food must be present, research from Harlow (1959) suggests that infant rhesus monkeys were most attached to the wire to contact mother whether they provided food or not. Even though this study involved animals, Schafer and Emerson support the research. Ideas imply that it is oversimplified and ignores the idea of other important factors like comfort.

Question 14

Learning theory is based on animal studies - limitation

Answer 14

Criticism is research being based on non-human animals and this is seen as non-reliable, for example Skinner’s research with pigeons. However, behaviourists believe that we are actually no different from other animals, and are behaviour patterns are made from the same basic building blocks of stimulus. Non-behaviourists further disagree as they believe complex innate predispositions of attachment that cannot be explained through conditioning. Behaviourists may lack validity and produce an oversimplified model of learning theory.