Attachment- Explanations of attachment: Learning theory Flashcards
Learning theory -
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 learning theory explanation for caregiver-infant attachment?
Learning theory, proposed by Dollard and Miller (1950), suggests that caregiver-infant attachment is learned through conditioning, with the caregiver providing food (a “cupboard love” approach).
How does classical conditioning explain attachment?
In classical conditioning, food is an unconditioned stimulus that produces pleasure (unconditioned response). The caregiver, initially a neutral stimulus, becomes associated with food. Over time, the caregiver becomes a conditioned stimulus, eliciting a conditioned response of pleasure, which learning theorists interpret as love.
How does operant conditioning explain attachment?
Operant conditioning explains attachment through reinforcement. Babies cry for comfort, and caregivers respond (e.g., feeding), reinforcing the crying behavior. Caregivers are negatively reinforced when crying stops, creating a two-way reinforcement process that strengthens attachment.
What is attachment as a secondary drive in learning theory?
Learning theory suggests that hunger is a primary drive, and attachment is a secondary drive. Caregivers, who provide food, become associated with reducing the hunger drive, making attachment a learned behavior tied to satisfying primary drives.
What counter-evidence from animal research challenges learning theory?
Animal studies, such as Lorenz’s geese and Harlow’s monkeys, show that attachment is not based on feeding. Lorenz’s geese imprinted before feeding, and Harlow’s monkeys preferred a soft surrogate over a wire one that dispensed milk, indicating food is not the basis of attachment.
What counter-evidence from human research challenges learning theory?
Schaffer and Emerson’s study found that many babies formed primary attachments to their biological mothers even when other carers did most of the feeding, showing feeding is not the key factor in attachment.
What does learning theory ignore about forming attachments?
Learning theory ignores factors like reciprocity, interactional synchrony, and sensitive caregiving, which research shows are crucial for the quality of attachment. These findings contradict the idea that attachment is solely based on feeding.
Could conditioning still play a role in attachment despite the discrediting of feeding as the primary factor?
Yes, while feeding may not be the primary factor, classical conditioning could still play a role in associating the caregiver with comfort and social interaction, contributing to attachment.
What is the newer learning theory explanation for attachment proposed by Hay and Vespo?
Hay and Vespo (1988) proposed a social learning theory explanation, suggesting parents teach children to love them by modeling attachment behaviors (e.g., hugging) and rewarding children with approval for displaying attachment behaviors.
How does social learning theory address the problems of early learning theory explanations?
Social learning theory shifts the focus from feeding to modeling and imitation of attachment behaviors, providing a more nuanced explanation that aligns with the importance of social interaction and sensitivity in attachment.
Is there still value in considering learning mechanisms in attachment?
Yes, while the link with feeding is discredited, learning mechanisms like association and reinforcement may still contribute to attachment, particularly in the context of social interaction and comfort.
To what extent does social learning theory provide a valid explanation for attachment?
Social learning theory offers a more comprehensive explanation by emphasizing the role of modeling, imitation, and social interaction, addressing the limitations of early learning theory and aligning better with research on attachment.
