Chapter 6- Explanations For Attachment Flashcards
What was the evolutionary theory?
The desire to form attachments has evolved as it helps the infant survive
What are the two concepts of the learning theory?
Classical and operant conditioning
What is classical condition?
Occurs when a response that would occur naturally in response to a stimulus becomes associated with another stimulus
What is the learning theory?
The theory that attachments are learned through interaction with caregivers who provide food,warmth + comfort
When does classical conditioning occur?
When a response that would occur naturally in response to a stimulus becomes associated with another stimulus
Example of classical conditioning?
When a child is being fed this takes place as the child learns to associate the parent with the pleasure of being fed
Mum (neutral stimulus) + milk (UCS) > please (UCR)
Eventually turns into
Mum (conditioned stimulus) > pleasure (conditioned response)
What does operant conditioning do?
Satisfies a babies hunger and makes them feel comfortable
What’s the primary and secondary reinforcer in operant conditioning?
Food is rewarding and becomes the primary reinforcer and the person feeding the the baby becomes the secondary reinforcer
So the person becomes a source of reward even when their not feeding them > AN ATTACHMENT HAS FORMED
Weaknesses & strengths of the learning theory?
- doesn’t explain the persistence of the bond as when we are older we no longer get fed by our parents but still have an attachment
- evidence to suggest that food isn’t the primary reinforcer e.g Schaffer and Emerson found 39% of children were attached to someone other than the person that fed them
- Harlows evidence contradicts the idea that the most important attachment formation is feeding
- must play some role in attachment as we aren’t born with an immediate attachment
What are the four characteristics of Bowlbys monotropic theory?
It’s argues attachments are;
- Innately programmes
- Have a critical period
- Continue to influence later relationships
- we have a bond stronger than others -Monotropy
Key points on innately programmed?
-humans + animals are innately programmed to become attached as it enhances survival e.g crying
What does the evolutionary theory say about being innately programmed?
These attachment behaviours are behaviours that adults are innately programmed to respond to
-the instinctive behaviour is due to the adults genes being passed through off Spring
What is a critical period?
This is the first two and a half years of life where a baby forms attachments
-After this time the child is much less likely to form a successful one
How do attachments continue to influence later relationships?
Early attachments provide ‘internal working models’ - continuity hypothesis
-securely attached child will have a positive attitude and opposite for insecurely attached
Monotropy key points?
Bowbly argues the most important attachment is usually with the mother and in order to have a health development this needs to be formed without any distribution
