explanation for attachment- learning theory

Question 1

AO1: classical conditioning

Answer 1

classical conditioning- learning through association

UCS- food
UCR- pleasure
NS primary caregiver- makes a association with the UCS making the primary caregiver a CS
CR- pleasure

Question 2

AO1: operant conditioning

Answer 2

operant conditioning- learning by consequence/reinforcement

positive reinforcement- behaviour results in the addition of something pleasant e.g. when baby cries they get food, crying is therefor reinforced

negative reinforcement- behaviour results in the subtraction of something unpleasant e.g. when the child is fed the unpleasant sensations of hunger stops

Question 3

AO1: drive reduction theory:

Answer 3

hunger is the primary drive and it is an innate, biological motivator

attachment is the secondary drive and it is when the caregiver provides food

Question 4

AO3: limitation- animal studies don’t provide support for the learning theory

However, the animal studies can’t be generalised to humans

Answer 4

P: animal studies don’t provide support for LT
E: the monkeys attached to the mother providing comfort not milk.
E: this contradicts the LT, as it suggests food is the key element of attachment. The animal studies suggests food is not the most important factor.
HOWEVER, the findings from the animal studies can’t be generalised to humans. Since monkeys have a different cognitive capacity to humans and may process info differently

Question 5

AO3: strength- conditioning may be involved in other aspects of attachment

limitation- LT sees the baby as playing a passive role

Answer 5

P: some conditioning may be involved in some aspects of attachment.
E/E: e.g. a baby may associate feeling warm and comfortable with the presence of a particular adult and this may influence their choice of a main attachment figure.
L: therefor the learning theory as an explanation for attachment still has some value
HOWEVER, the LT explanation sees the baby as playing a passive role in attachment. Research shows they take a very active role. This means conditioning may not be the right explanation for any aspect of attachment

Question 6

AO3: limitation- methodological issues (cant generalise to humans)

Answer 6

P: methodological research
E: pavlovs research on dogs and skinners research on rat relies heavily on animals
E: this means we are unable to generalise their finding to the target population
L: therefor the learning theory as an explanation for attachment is low in population validity

Question 7

AO3: limitation- Bowlby’s theory may provide a better explanation

Answer 7

P: bowlbys theory may provide a better explanation
E/E: it can explain WHY attachments form (evolution and survival) whereas LT only explains HOW attachments form. Bowlby also outlines the benefits of attachment (protection from harm)
L: shows that the LT as an explanation for attachment may not be the best explanation as it is not complete