Attachment (learning Theory And Other)

Question 1

What is learning theory? (AO1)

Answer 1

The name of group of explanations (classic and operant conditions), which account for behaviour in terms of learning rather than regarding it as innate (since birth).
Believers of this theory say that children are born as “blank states” and hence that all their behaviours can be explained in terms of their experiences.
Learning theory was developed by behaviourists who argue that all behaviour (including attachment) was learned through either classical or operant conditioning.
In relation to attachment, it is sometimes referred to as a “cupboard love” approach because it suggests that children simply learn to love whoever feeds them.

Question 2

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 2

classical conditioning is learning through association.
A neutral stimulus is consistently paired with an unconditioned stimulus so that it eventually takes on the properties of this stimulus and so produces a conditioned response.
Essentially, classical conditioning explains attachment as resulting from a simple association between the caregiver and the pleasure derives from being fed.

Question 3

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 3

The term operant conditioning refers to learning whether to repeat a behaviour as a result of this consequences.
If a behaviour has pleasant or positive consequences, it is more likely to be repeated than if it does not.
Such pleasant or positive consequences are known as reinforcement .
When they follow a behaviour that behaviour said to be positively reinforced.