Explainations Of Attachment: Learning Theory

Question 1

Learning Theory

Answer 1

Dollard + Miller (1950) proposed that caregiver infant attachment can be explained with this
Sometimes called “cupboard love” - emphasises caregiver as provider of food

Question 2

Classical conditioning

Answer 2

Caregiver (neutral stimulus) over time becomes associated with food(unconditioned stimulus) which gives us pleasure (unconditioned response)

Caregiver become conditioned stimulus for the now conditioned response of pleasure - love - and attachment is formed

Question 3

Operant Conditioning

Answer 3

Involves learning consequences of behaviour

Crying for comfort leads to caregiver response e.g feeding or comfort

This response reinforces the behaviour and baby directs this towards caregiver for negative reinforcement- strengthens attachment

Question 4

Attachment as a Secondary Drive

Answer 4

Sears et al (1957) - Attachment becomes a secondary drive through association with hunger since caregiver provides food

Learned association between caregiver and satisfaction of primary drive

Question 5

Counter evidence from animal studies - AO3

Answer 5

LIMITATION - lack of support

Lorenz’s geese imprinted on 1st moving object regardless of association w/ food

Harlow’s monkeys displaying attached behaviour to soft surrogate mother over wired one which provided milk

Shows factors other than food are important in forming attachment

Question 6

Counter-evidence for studies on humans - AO3

Answer 6

LIMITATION
Schaffer + Emerson found babies tend to attach to mother regardless of feeding

Isabella et al found high levels of interactional synchrony predicted quality of attachment not feeding

Suggests food isn’t main factor in forming attachment

Question 7

(L) Some Conditioning may be involved - not w/ food

Answer 7

Unlikely food plays central role but conditioning in general might
E.g. baby associates feeling warm and comfortable w/ presence of adult

Means learning theory may be useful in understanding the development of attachments

Question 8

(L) Theory sees babies as too passive

Answer 8

Both classical and operant explanations have the baby in a passive role just responding to associations

Research show they take active role in interactions that form attachment - not adequate explanation

Question 9

AO3 Extra: Social Learning Theory

Answer 9

Hay + Vespa (1988) suggest parents teach children to love them by modelling attachment behaviours - hugs + reinforcing this by showing approval of it

Has further advantage - based in 2way interaction between baby + adult so fits reciprocity research