Attachment - Explanations: Learning Theory Flashcards
Define learning theory in the context of attachment.
A set of theories from the behaviourist approach to psychology that emphasise the role of learning in the acquisition of behaviour. Explanations for learning of behaviour include classical and operant conditioning.
What is the “cupboard love” approach in learning theory?
The “cupboard love” approach emphasises the importance of the caregiver as a provider of food, proposing that children learn to love whoever feeds them.
Explain classical conditioning in attachment.
Classical conditioning involves learning to associate two stimuli together so that we begin to respond to one in the same way as we already respond to the other.
In attachment:
Food serves as an unconditioned stimulus (UCS), which gives us pleasure, an unconditioned response (UCR).
A caregiver starts as a neutral stimulus (NS), producing no response.
Over time, the caregiver is repeatedly paired with food, becoming a conditioned stimulus (CS) that produces a conditioned response (CR) of pleasure.
Describe operant conditioning in attachment.
Operant conditioning involves learning to repeat behaviour based on its consequences.
If a behaviour produces a pleasant consequence, it is reinforced and likely to be repeated.
In attachment:
Crying leads to a response from the caregiver, such as feeding.
This reinforces crying (positive reinforcement for the baby).
At the same time, the caregiver is negatively reinforced because stopping the crying is an escape from something unpleasant.
This mutual reinforcement strengthens attachment.
What does learning theory say about attachment as a secondary drive?
Learning theory draws on the concept of drive reduction. Hunger is a primary drive, and caregivers provide food to reduce this drive.
Attachment becomes a secondary drive, learned through the association between the caregiver and the satisfaction of the primary drive.
What is one evaluation point regarding animal research in attachment?
Point: Research from animal studies has demonstrated that attachment does not develop solely due to feeding, challenging learning theory.
Evidence: Harlow’s study on rhesus monkeys found that baby monkeys formed stronger attachments with a cloth surrogate mother that provided comfort, even though a wire surrogate provided food.
Explanation: This indicates that attachment is based on emotional comfort rather than feeding, contradicting the “cupboard love” explanation proposed by learning theory.
Link: These findings highlight the inadequacy of learning theory in explaining attachment, suggesting comfort and emotional security play a critical role.
What is one evaluation point from human research against learning theory?
Point: Research with human infants has also shown that feeding is not a key factor in attachment formation.
Evidence: Schaffer and Emerson (1964) found that 39% of babies formed attachments with a caregiver who was not their primary feeder.
Explanation: This suggests that other factors, such as responsiveness and interaction quality, are more significant in forming attachments than the provision of food.
Link: This directly contradicts the premise of learning theory, indicating that attachment is not simply a secondary drive linked to feeding but involves emotional and social interaction.
EV: How does learning theory ignore other factors in attachment formation?
Point: Learning theory fails to account for other important factors associated with attachment formation, such as reciprocity and interactional synchrony.
Evidence: Studies like Isabella et al. (1989) have shown that higher levels of synchrony between infants and caregivers are associated with stronger attachment quality.
Explanation: This suggests that attachment depends on complex, dynamic interactions between infants and caregivers rather than basic reinforcement processes like feeding.
Link: By ignoring these factors, learning theory offers an oversimplified explanation that does not adequately reflect the nature of human attachment.
EV: How does a newer learning theory explain attachment?
Point: A more sophisticated learning explanation has been proposed, incorporating social learning theory into attachment.
Evidence: Hay and Vespo (1988) suggest that parents teach attachment behaviours through modelling (e.g., showing affection) and reinforcement (e.g., praising the child for hugging or smiling).
Explanation: This approach acknowledges that attachment behaviours are learned but emphasises social interaction and observation, offering a more comprehensive account of attachment.
Link: This updated explanation integrates key elements of learning while addressing the limitations of the original “cupboard love” approach, making it more relevant to modern understanding of attachment.
