attachment - learning theory Flashcards
learning theory - AO1
classical conditioning
- unconditioned stimulus = MILK
- unconditioned response = PLEASURE
- automatic response NOT LEARNT
- feeder = NEUTRAL STIMULUS
- infant learns to associate feeder + milk + pleasure
- through repetition of feeding
- feeder becomes CONDITIONED STIMULUS
- produces pleasure = CONDITIONED RESPONSE
learning theory - AO1
operant conditioning
- operant conditioning explains why babies cry for comfort
POSITVE REINFORCEMENT
- baby hungry, cries for food
- caregiver responds e.g. feeding
- positive reinforcement as baby rewarded with food
- crying behaviour reinforced
NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT
- baby hungry, cries for food
- caregiver responds
- negative behaviour of crying removed
- feeding behaviour reinforced
- mutual reinforcement
- strengthens attachment
Criticism - AO3
environmental reductionism
P - criticised
- environmental reductionism
E - complex human behaviour
- reduced down to simple basic units
- e.g. stimuli, response, associations help us learn to attach
E - selects holistic approach
- takes into account culture and social context
- how this could influence attachment
- e.g. collectivist cultures form multiple attachments from the outset, not just with feeders
L - lacks external validity
- does not allow us to understand behaviour in context
Research to contradict - AO3
Harlow
COUNTER ARGUEMENT
P - research to contradict LT
- Harlows monkeys
E - Harlow found monkeys spent more time with surrogate mother who provided comfort rather than food
- suggesting comfort is more important in building attachment
E - same must be true for humans
- learning theorists believed humans and non-humans equivalent
L - contradicting LT which suggets we attach through stimuli, response, associations
- limiting LT
COUNTER ARGUEMENT
- conducted on monkeys
- difficult to generalise to humans
- limting extent to which Harlows research can be used to contradict
Research to contradict - AO3
Schaffer and Emerson
Field (role of father)
P - research to contradict
- schaffer and Emerson
E - found that infants mostly attach to mother regardless if she was feeder
- responsiveness and interactions more important
E - moreover field in role of father
- found best quality attachments = those responsive and sensitive to childs needs
L - suggests other factors important in building attachment
- not food like learning theory suggests