Attachment: explanations of attachment -learning theory

Question 1

What does the learning theory state?

Answer 1

Attachment is learnt through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning

Question 2

Who came up with this theory?

Answer 2

Dollard and Miller

Question 3

What did Dollard and Miller say about attachments?

Answer 3

Attachments are based off the caregiver who feeds and offers food for the infant

Question 4

What was a strength to their theory?

Answer 4

Elements of conditions may be right but it’s not solely focused on food

Question 5

What were some of the negatives of this theory?

Answer 5

-Harlows study proves that attachment is not based off caregiver who offers food yet they prefer comfort contact
-attachment to primary caregiver is based off of who meets the needs of the infant the most.