Explanation of attachment Flashcards
What do Dollar and Miller propose about attachments?
Attachments are learned behaviors influenced by classical and operant conditioning, linked to a biological need for survival driven by hunger.
What is classical conditioning?
A learning process where a naturally occurring reflex becomes associated with a neutral stimulus through repeated pairings.
What is an Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)?
A stimulus that elicits a natural response, such as food in attachment.
What is an Unconditioned Response (UCR)?
The natural response to the UCS, like feeling pleasure when hunger is reduced.
What is a Neutral Stimulus (NS)?
A stimulus that evokes no natural response, such as the caregiver before association with food.
What is a Conditioned Stimulus (CS)?
A stimulus that has been learned to respond to via association, such as the caregiver after consistent association with food.
What is a Conditioned Response (CR)?
The learned response to the previously neutral stimulus, like feeling pleasure when seeing the caregiver.
What occurs before conditioning in attachment?
UCS: Food/milk = UCR: Pleasure/relief from hunger; NS: Mother = No Response.
What occurs during conditioning in attachment?
NS: Mother + UCS: Food/milk = UCR: Pleasure/relief from hunger.
What occurs after conditioning in attachment?
CS: Mother = CR: Pleasure/relief from hunger.
What is operant conditioning?
Learning influenced by the consequences of actions, where positive consequences increase the likelihood of repeating behaviors.
What is positive reinforcement?
Behavior is rewarded and thus strengthened, leading to repetition of the behavior to continue the pleasant sensation.
What is negative reinforcement?
Behavior switches off something unpleasant, leading to repetition of the behavior to avoid the unpleasant sensation.
How does operant conditioning apply to attachment for the baby?
When a baby cries, the caregiver responds with food, reinforcing the baby’s crying behavior.
How does operant conditioning apply to attachment for the caregiver?
The caregiver feeds the baby to stop the crying, reinforcing the caregiver’s behavior of attending to the baby.
What is drive reduction theory?
A theory explaining that biological needs create drives that motivate behavior, such as hunger motivating infants to seek relief.
What is a primary drive?
An innate biological need essential for survival, such as hunger.
What is a secondary drive?
A drive that develops over time as the caregiver becomes associated with the satisfaction of the infant’s primary drive.
What is drive reduction in attachment?
When the caregiver provides food, the infant’s primary drive (hunger) is reduced, reinforcing the attachment.
What does Hay and Vespo’s applied social learning theory emphasize?
Infants learn behaviors through observation, imitation, and reinforcement, highlighting the role of social interaction in attachment formation.
How do infants learn affectionate behaviors according to Hay and Vespo?
By observing and copying affectionate actions, which are reinforced by rewards like comfort or praise.
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Learning by watching others receive positive outcomes for similar behaviors.
What role do caregivers play in attachment according to Hay and Vespo?
Caregivers act as role models, demonstrating nurturing behaviors that infants emulate.
