Attachment - Explanations of attachment: Learning theory

Question 1

Learning theory

Answer 1

• Theories from behaviourist approach to psychology

- Emphasise learning in behaviour

Question 2

Classical conditioning

Answer 2

• 2 stimuli paired together will overtime provide the same response
• Care giver is a neutral stimulus and provides no response
• Caregiver will provide food over a period of time and then every time the baby sees that person, they expect food.

Question 3

Operant conditioning

Answer 3

• Learning from consequence of behaviour
• Babies cry for comfort which leads to a response from caregiver, e.g feeding
• If caregiver provides correct response to babies crying, crying is reinforced
• Baby then directs crying at caregiver who always responds with comfort

Question 4

Attachment as Secondary drive

Answer 4

• Hunger thought as primary drive, its innate and a biological motivator. we eat to reduce hunger
• Caregiver provides food, and primary drive becomes generalised to them
• Secondary drive learned by association of caregiver and primary drive being fulfilled