Dollard and Miller: Learning Theory

Question 1

what is the theory?

Answer 1

children learn to love whoever feeds them (biological survival instinct)

Question 2

what is the classical conditioning?

Answer 2

where the NCS (food) leads to UCR (attachment) and the NS is the caregiver

Question 3

what is the operant conditioning?

Answer 3

babies cry so they get attention (negative reinforcement for mother and baby)

Question 4

what are the primary and secondary drives?

Answer 4

• hunger is a primary drive

- attachment is a secondary drive because of the satisfaction of the primary drive being seen to

Question 5

negative evaluation:

animal studies give evidence against food as the basis of attachment

Answer 5

• lorenz;s imprinting geese attachment regardless of who fed them
• Harlow monkeys attached to cloth monkey rather than wire monkey with food
• in both studies attachment, didn’t develop because of feeding
• same must be true for humans as learning theorists say animals and humans are equivalent

Question 6

negative evaluation:

human research shows feeding wasn’t an important factor

Answer 6

• Shaffer and Emerson (1964) show many babies primary attachment wasn’t to the person who fed them
• shows feeding not a key element of attachment (no US or primary drive involved)
• evidence suggests others factors are more important than food

Question 7

positive evaluation:

some elements of conditioning could still are involved

Answer 7

• the main problem is the idea that feeding provides the US, primary drive or reinforcement
• although many aspects of human development affected by conditioning so it could still play a role (but not with feeding)
• e.g CC could explain the link between primary caregiver attachment and comfort