Attatchment-explanation Of It-learning Theory

Question 1

Attatchment learning theory
Classical conditioning
Outline

Answer 1

Learning through association
A neutral stimulus is consistently paired with a unconditioned stimulus so that it eventually takes on properties of stimuli
So produces conditioned response

Question 2

Attatchment learning theory
Classical conditioning
Process

Answer 2

Food is unconditioned stimulus
UCS
Being fed satisfies babies hunger
Unconditioned response UCR
(Unconditioned means not learnt)
Caregiver is neutral stimulus NS
they alone Don’t satisfy babies hunger
After many pairings of provision n satisfying hunger 2 become associated
Baby learnt to expect food once seen carer
Now conditioned stimulus
Now baby will feel positive emotions in presence of carer even without food
Emotions r CR
So infants become attatched

Question 3

Attatchment
Learning theory
Operant conditioning outlined

Answer 3

Refers to Learning to repeat a behaviour as a result its consequences (u understand what could happen if u don’t do behaviour again so u do it again
If it has positive consequences its more likely going to be repeated
Positive is known as ‘reinforcement’

Question 4

Attatchment
Learning theory
Operant conditioning
Process for positive reinforcement

Answer 4

Babies feel hunger -innate PRIMARY DRIVE hunger is unpleasant
As a consequence,motivates baby to stop feeling
-DRIVE REDUCTION
baby cries to get caregiver attention
To encourage provision of food
Crying=SOCIAL RELEASER
pleasure of food for baby
Crying has become POSITIVLE REINFORCED
cus has lead to provision of food
Consequently baby will cry again for food cus it knows it’ll be provided
Food becomes PRIMARY REINFORCER
person who provides it becomes associated -SECONDARY REINFORCER

Question 5

Attatchment
Learning theory
Operant conditionin
Process for negative reinforcement

Answer 5

Crying is unpleasant for caregiver -stresses them motivated to behave in a way that’ll cause it to stop
Removal of unpleasant stimulus -NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT
So caregiver motivated to continue with feeding process

Question 6

Attatchment learning theory explanatory power

Answer 6

Explains behaviour as its evident infants do learn through association n reinforcement as babies can attach to whoever feeds them

However food may not be only reinforcer eg cuddling baby is a reward for baby
Too simple to say attachment results from provision of food tho

Question 7

Attatchment learning theory
Contradicted with human studies

Answer 7

Schaffer n emmerson showed many babies a primary attachment was not always formed with person who fed em
More than half infants studied went attached to person primarily involved with physical care (feeding)

Question 8

Attatchment learning theory
Contradiction of Operant conditioning

Answer 8

Some predictions of the theory r incorrect
Many instances of child abuse contradict it
Operant predicts that neglect /punishment decreases attachment behaviour
But observations show children continue to show strong attatchment behaviour to cruel parents who punish n not reward

Question 9

Attatchment learning theory
Reductionist

Answer 9

Overly simplistic
Focus on basic processes too simplistic ,don’t explain complex attachment
Cannot be reduced to single factor -food