ATTACHMENT- explanations of attachment

Question 1

learning theory
what is classical conditioning

Answer 1

learning to associate 2 stimuli together so we respond to one in the same way as we respond to the other

Question 2

learning theory
stages of classical conditioning in attachment (4)

Answer 2

BEFORE CONDITIONING
-food (unconditioned stimulus)–> pleasure response (unconditioned response)
-CG (neutral stimulus)–> no response
DURING CONDITIONING
-CG (neutral stimulus) + food (conditioned stimulus)–> pleasure response (unconditioned response)
AFTER CONDITIONING
-CG (conditioned stimulus)–>pleasure response (conditioned response)

Question 3

learning theory
what is operant conditioning (3)

Answer 3

-the likelihood of repeating behaviour based on consequences
-pleasant consequence (rewards)= behaviour repeats, gets reinforced
-negative consequence (punishments)= behaviour less likely to be repeated

Question 4

learning theory
what is reinforcement +types (4)

Answer 4

-reinforcement is a 2 way process- whilst one person receives a positive reinforcement, the other receives a negative reinforcement
-mutual reinforcement strengthens an attachment
-positive reinforcement= adding something pleasant
-negative reinforcement=taking away something unpleasant

Question 5

learning theory
relate operant conditioning to attachment (2)

Answer 5

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
baby cries–>give food so baby stops crying–>baby repeats crying behaviour to get more food

NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT
baby cries–>give food so baby stops crying–>CG repeats feeding behaviour to stop baby crying

Question 6

learning theory
explain attachment as a secondary drive (3)

Answer 6

-attachment is a secondary drive learned by the association between CG and primary drive
-hunger= primary drive (innate, biological motivator) We are motivated to eat to reduce the hunger drive
-as CG provides food, the primary hunger drive is generalised to CG

Question 7

bowlby’s monotropic theory
what does bowlby suggest

Answer 7

rejected the learning theory and suggested an evolutionary explanation- attachment is an innate system that gives a survival advantage

Question 8

bowlby’s monotropic theory
what did he suggest about monotropy (4)

Answer 8

-attachment to one particular CG is more important+different to other attachments
-the more time spent with primary CG, the better
-law of continuity: the more constant a child’s care, the better the attachment quality
-law of accumulated separation: the effects of every separation adds up

Question 9

bowlby’s monotropic theory
what is an internal working model (2)

Answer 9

-children form a mental representation of their relationship with primary CG
-affects child’s future parenting ability as they base it on their own parenting experiences

Question 10

bowlby’s monotropic theory
what are social releasers (3)

Answer 10

-babies are born with a set of innate ‘cute’ behaviours that encourage attention from adults
-they activate adult social interaction and makes adult attach to baby
-attachment is reciprocal- both adult+baby are hard wired to become attached

Question 11

what is the critical period (3)

Answer 11

-early weeks of life: interplay between CG+child gradually builds up relationship
-6 months= sensitive period- child is maximally sensitive from 6 months to 2 years old
-if attachment isnt formed in sensitive period, child will find it hard to form one later