Attachments Explanations: Learning theory and Bowlby's theory

Question 1

outline the Learning theory as an explanation for attachment

Answer 1

Idea tht behaviour is learned rather than innate

a) CLASSICAL CONDITIONING: attachment formed through linking mother to food. UCS (food) -> pleasure (ucr) Mother (ns) + food (UCS) -> Pleasure (cr) so then NS (mother) becomes CS and pleasure is a response so therefore attachment has formed.
b) OPERANT CONDITIONING: When animal is uncomfortable they have drive to reduce discomfort: positive reinforcement (rewarding). Through process, attachment forms as mother supplies reward.
c) Social learning theory: Bandura developed it suggests that modelling is used to explain attachment behaviour and their parents are the model.

Question 2

3 points:

Evaluate learning theory as an explanation for attachment

Answer 2

EVALUATION:

1) Contact comfort more important: Harlow monkeys
2) Based on research w/ animals: not generalisable
3) Alternative explanation: bowlby evolutionary theory, could be a biological predisposition causing attachment. Bowbly’s also explains why it happens not just how it happens

Question 3

Outline Bowlby’s monotropic theory as explanation for attachment?

Answer 3

A) Lorenz imprinting led him to believe attachment is from evolution and it is very important for survival.

B) Babies have innate drive to attach, there is a critical period which is 3-6months. However its hard to form attachment after this. Bowlby believed sensitivity is important for this period: mothers who are more responsive and accessible form stronger attachments and reciprocity and interactional synchrony are important.

Social releasers such as smiling help.

He also believed in MONOTROPY which is important as the biological mother forms one special bond and they provide best supply of sensitivity.

c) Consequences: monotropy provides internal working model of attachments: acts as a template for all future attachments.

Question 4

Give 4 evaluation points for Bowlby’s monotropic theory for attachment

Answer 4

EVALUATION:

1) Sensitive period > critical period: rutter et al found that attachments can be made after critical period just slower
2) Continuity hypothesis: Hazan and schaffer love quiz shows importance of working memory model (asked about love and their love life represents their attachment type/working model)
3) Alternate explanation: may be genetic, Kagan proposed that the childs temperament (emotional characteristics) can determine how strong their attachment will be (easy temperament = strong attachment)
4) It may not be for survival as if it were it would not happen after 3 months (when most vulnurable)
5) Studies of the African Efe tribe also back it up as they share breastfeeding across all the women but the infants have still got monotropies