Attachment: Explanations for attachment - Learning Theory Flashcards
What is learning theory?
The name given to a group of explanations (operant + classical conditioning) which explains behaviour in terms of learning rather than inborn tendencies or higher order thinking.
What is classical conditioning?
Learning through association
What is operant conditioning?
Learning through reinforcement
What is SLT?
Learning through observing others + imitating behaviour that’s rewarded
What is negative reinforcement?
Occurs when something unpleasant/ uncomfortable is removed or taken away in order to increase the likelihood of desired behaviour
What is positive reinforcement?
Strengthens behaviour through praise + encouragement
How does classical conditioning lead to attachment?
Before conditioning —> Food (UCS) + produces pleasure due to a relief from hunger (UCR) caregiver acts as a (NS) who produces no conditioned response.
During conditioning/ acquisition phase —> Child associates the caregiver (NS) who feeds them with the food (UCS) + through repeated associations the (NS) + (UCS) is paired.
After conditioning —> The caregiver (NS) now becomes the (CS) which then elicits pleasure which is now the (CR)
How does operant conditioning lead to attachent?
When an infant feels discomfort from hinger it’s motivated to reduce the pleasant feelings, so cries to receive comfort. When a caregiver provides food, a feeling of pleasure is produced which is rewarding. Attachment will occur because the infant will seek the caregiver who can supply the reward.
How does SLT link to infants and lead to attachment?
Modelling can be used to explain attachment behaviours.
The theory proposes that children observe the parent’s affectionate behaviour + imitate this.
Parents would also deliberately instruct their children about how to behave in relationships + rewarded appropriate attachment behaviours such as giving kisses and hugs.
What are the 4 AO3 points for learning theory?
-Issues with using behaviourism to explain attachment
-Contradictory research regarding food
-Monotropic theory is better at describing attachment
+ Supports the nature side of the nature/nurture debate
(-AO3) What are the issues with using behaviourism to explain attachment?
Behaviourism is based off of animal studies e.g. Pavlov’s dogs or Skinner’s rats.
Behaviourists believe we start off as a blank slate and the use of simple processes can’t explain complex behaviour such as attachment as they’re oversimplified.
Therefore, studies that use this approach like learning are difficult to apply to human behaviour.
(-AO3) What is the contradictory research regarding food?
Harlow’s research into attachment showed that attachment isn’t influenced by food but by comfort as shown through preferences of the 8 rhesus monkeys.
This is further reinforced by Schaffer and Emerson’s Longitudinal study which showed that infants tended to be closer with the caregiver who was most interactive + sensitive to the infants’ signals + facial expression further suggesting that the learning theory oversimplified or incorrect.
(-AO3) Why may the monotropic theory be better at describing attachment?
Bowlby’s monotropic theory also suggests that attachment is mostly innate and explains that attachment behaviour is evolutionary and serves an important role in survival function.
Therefore rejecting learning theory.
(+AO3) supports nature side of nature/nurture debate
The learning theory explanation suggests that attachments are the result of learning which therefore supports a nurture‐ based view of behaviour.
Consequently, such theories are reductionist (environmental) as they reduce a complex behaviour, the formation of an attachment between infants and their caregivers, to a simple stimulus–response association.
Many psychologists would argue that human attachments are far more complex and learning explanations provide an overly simplified account of human attachment.
