Attachment- Explanations of Attachment Flashcards
What are the 2 explanations of attachment?
Learning theory and Bowlby’s monotropic theory
What approach is associated with learning theory?
Behaviourist approach
What is the role of classical conditioning in learning theory?
UCS (food)= UCR (pleasure)
UCS (food) + NS (mother/primary caregiver)= UCR (pleasure)
CS (mother)= CR (pleasure)
How does learning theory state an attachment is formed?
Association with the primary caregiver and food
What is the role of operant conditioning in learning theory?
When babies cry, the mother will pay attention to it which reinforces the crying behaviour
What are strengths of learning theory?
- Research support
What are weaknesses of learning theory?
- Reductionist as it tries to explain complex attachment using simple stimulus-response processes
- Animal studies aren’t always generalisable
- Other theories of attachment
How does Bowlby’s monotropic theory explain attachment?
We have evolved a biological need to attach to our main caregiver which has been developed through natural selection to ensure the survival of the child to maturity
What is Bowlby’s idea of monotropy?
We form one main attachment which is a survival value and provides a ‘safe base’
What is the internal working model in Bowlby’s monotropic theory?
Infant attachment provides a ‘template’ for all future relationships which can change and develop over time
What is the critical period in Bowlby’s monotropic theory?
First three years of life for an attachment to develop otherwise it might never develop
What are strengths of Bowlby’s monotropic theory?
- Harlow’s study supports this theory
- Schaffer and Emerson provided evidence against
What are limitations of Bowlby’s monotropic theory?
- Harlow’s study goes against idea of monotropy
- Mixed evidence for claims of critical period
- Promoted mothers staying at home which negatively impacted the economy
