Attachments L5 And 6 Revision

Question 1

What is the learning theory?

Answer 1

Proposes that all behaviour is learned rather than being innate or inherited.
- explains how infants learn to become attached through classical/operant conditioning.
- often referred to as cupboard love theory because it suggests attachment is based on the providing of food.
(Reference)

Question 2

Explain classical conditioning.

Answer 2

Is based on learning through association.
Before conditioning:
- food= UCS which produces UCR of pleasure (reference). The mother is a NS who produces no response.
During conditioning:
- the NS and UCS are associated with one another and through repetition the mother now becomes a CS who is associated with the pleasure from feeding.
The child produces a conditioned response and the attachment is formed.
(Reference- husband didn’t feed so no attachment)

Question 3

Evaluation learning theory.

Answer 3

1. Based on animal studies like skinners study on pigeons and rats. Attachments are argued to be more complex behaviour especially in humans and cannot be generalised or explained by conditioning.
2. Other psychologists (LORENZ) found that attachments arent based on food. He showed that imprinting took place even when he used himself although he wasn’t providing food to the goslings.
3. Schaffer and Emersons study on human babies showed many babies didnt form a primary attachment figure with the person who fed them most.
   + however some elements of conditioning could still be involved in forming attachments and future effects.

Question 4

Bowlby’s monotropic theory

Answer 4

Suggests that attachment is important for a child’s survival, and that the attachment behaviours in babies and caregivers have evolved through natural selection.

• this means infants have innate behaviours that ensure the formation of attachments.
• he proposed that the critical period for attachment is before the age of 2. Those who dont form an attachment, struggle forming later on.

Question 5

Monotropy

Answer 5

Bowlby believed that infants form one special attachment with their primary caregiver(usually mother).
This specific attachment is referred to as monotropy.
- this primary attachment forms an internal working model which acts as a template for future relationship expectations and has an impact on future development.
(Reference: as suggested by second mother)

Question 6

Bowlby eval

Answer 6

+ research support:
Bailey et al assessed 99 mothers with 1 year olds on the quality of their attachment to their own mothers using an interview procedure.
Also assessed the attachment of the babies to the mothers by observation.
Found that those who reported having poor attachment with their mother were more likely to have poorly attached infants.
Supports idea that an internal working model is being passed through families.
- ignores role of father. Therefore outdated and sexist. Nowadays fathers play an increasingly important role in upbringing.

Question 7

Operant conditioning

Answer 7

Is a way to strengthen the attachment formed through classical conditioning.
- based on learning through rewards and punishment.
Crying or distress is positively reinforced by the milk provided by the caregiver as it creates feelings of pleasure. The negative reinforcement is the removal of hunger.