Developmental: Learning Theory

Question 1

What does learning theory suggest?

Answer 1

All attachments are learnt from conditioning
Use classical and operant conditioning - based on the notion of cupboard love (attached to those who feed us)

Question 2

What is the process of Classical conditioning?

Answer 2

1. Food (UCS) —> baby feels pleasure (UCR)
2. Mother (NS) + Food (UCS) —> pleasure (UCR)
3. Mother (CS) —> Pleasure (CR)
   - association learnt, between mother and the pleasure from food

Question 3

What is the process of operant conditioning?

Answer 3

1. Baby performs action (e.g. cries) —> Baby receives reward (food)
2. The reward reinforces the action, so baby repeats it

Question 4

What’s some general evaluation for these conditionings?

Answer 4

+ shows how attachments can be formed - not only to mother, but to anyone who feeds them
+ shows if attachments are lost, others can be found
- Harlow and Lorenz both go against this theory