Chapter 3 Attachment - Explanations of attachment: Learning theory

Question 1

Learning theory - Classical conditioning?

Answer 1

• Caregiver (neutral stimulus) associated with food (unconditioned stimulus).
• Caregiver becomes conditioned stimulus.

Question 2

Learning theory - Operant conditioning?

Answer 2

Crying behaviour reinforced positively for baby and negatively for caregiver.

Question 3

Learning theory - Attachment as a secondary drive?

Answer 3

Attachment becomes a secondary drive through association with hunger.

Question 4

Evaluation of the learning theory - Counter-evidence from animal studies? L

Answer 4

Lorenz & Harlow showed that feeding is not the key to attachment.

Question 5

Evaluation of the learning theory - Counter-evidence from studies on humans? L

Answer 5

Primary attachment figure not always person who does feeding (Schaffer & Emerson), quality of attachment related to interactional synchrony not feeding (Isabella et al).

Question 6

Evaluation of the learning theory - Some conditioning may be involved? S

Answer 6

• Conditioning (association with comfort) may influence the choice of primary attachment figure.
• CP is that babies are more active in attachment than conditioning explanations suggest (Feldman & Eidelman).

Question 7

Evaluation of the learning theory - Social learning theory? X

Answer 7

Involves modelling attachment behaviours, includes role of active baby (Hay & Vespo).

Question 8

Evaluations of the learning theory? (SLLX)

Answer 8

S - Some conditioning may be involved
L - Counter-evidence from animal studies
L - Counter-evidence from studies on humans
X - Social learning theory