Attachment - Learning Theory

Question 1

Introduction to learning theory

Answer 1

• Based on behaviourist principles
• “Cupboard love” - attachment forms due to food provision
• Behaviourism views people as born as “blank slates” - tabula rasa
• Behaviour is shaped by environmental factors

Question 2

Classical conditioning in attachment

Answer 2

-Food (UCS) produces satisfaction (UCR)
- Mother (NS) initially produces no response
- Mother becomes associated with food (CS)
- Baby forms an attachment to the mother as food provider

Question 3

Operant conditioning in attachment

Answer 3

• Behaviours learned through consequences (rewards + punishments)
• Positive reinforcement:
• For infant - food (primary reinforcer) brings pleasure
• Mother becomes secondary reinforcer
• Baby repeats actions that bring mother close
• For mother - Baby’s smiles an affection are rewarding
• Negative reinforcement:
• For infant - hunger and discomfort removed by mother’s care
• Infant learns mother brings relief
  -For mother - Feeding removes unpleasant sound of crying
• Removal of discomfort reinforces caregiving behaviour

Question 4

Strengths of learning theory

Answer 4

• Based on well-researched behaviourist principles
• Provides clear, straightforward explanation of attachment formation
• Easily investigated and observed
  -Emphasises role of environmental factors

Question 5

Challenges to learning theory

Answer 5

• Schaffer and Emerson:
  Attachment not based on feeding alone
  Quality of interaction more important than time spent
• Harlow’s monkey experiments:
  Contact comfort preferred over food
• Ignores biological factors in attachment formation

Question 6

Limitations of learning theory

Answer 6

• Overemphasis on nurture, ignoring nature
• Doesn’t account for innate behaviours
• Environmentally reductionist - oversimplifies complex attachment behaviours
• Ignores importance of interactional synchrony

Question 7

Alternative perspectives

Answer 7

-Bowlby - proposed more biological view of attachment
Influenced by animal studies
Emphasised innate factors in attachment formation
Considered evolutionary adaptations in attachment behaviour