Attachment - Explanation of attachment : Learning theory

Question 1

What is the learning theory as an explanation of attachment?

Answer 1

Also known as the cupboard love theory , it argues that infants become attached to their caregivers as they learn that their caregiver provides food

Question 2

How is behaviour conditioned?

Answer 2

By either Classical conditioning and/or Operant conditioning

Question 3

How is attachment classically conditioned?

Answer 3

Question 4

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 4

It’s Learning due to association i.e.
When two stimuli are present an individual will associate them so we begin to respond to one in the same way we would to another

Question 5

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 5

Learning due to patterns of reinforcement i.e. Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement.

Question 6

How is an attachment operantly conditioned?

Answer 6

When a baby cries & the parent feeds them, the baby is more likely to repeat the crying behaviour to get food ( so it’s positively conditioned)
And also when the baby stops crying the feeding behaviour stops ( so it’s negatively conditioned)

Question 7

What is Drive reduction?

Answer 7

That hunger is a primary drive ( as its innate), The caregivers provide food . Therefore attachment is a secondary drive leads by association as it’s satisfying the primary drive.

Question 8

Strength 1 : Learning theory has Face validity

Answer 8

P: Learning theory has Face validity
E: As we do seem to learn through association in real life
E: for example the case of little Albert , where after repeated pairings with the white rat & loud noise Albert began to associate the rat with a frightening noise.
L: Therefore suggesting that the learning theory plays a role in attachment

Question 9

Weakness 1 : Counter evidence from Animal studies

Answer 9

P: Counter evidence from Animal studies
E: Lorenz geese imprinted before they were fed
E: It is clear that attachment doesn’t result due to feeding
L: Therefore the same must be said about humans - as learning theorists believe non-human animals & humans are equivalent

Question 10

Weakness 2 : Counter evidence from Human studies

Answer 10

P: Feeding doesn’t seem to be an important factor for humans in attachment
E: Schaffer & Emerson study found babies formed a primary attachment with their mothers despite other careers doing most of the feeding
E: Showing that attachment doesn’t stem from feeding
L: Therefore a weakness fir the cupboard love theory as feeding is not a key element for attachment