explanation of attachment: learning theory

Question 1

what’s learning theory

Answer 1

name given for classical and operant conditioning, explains behaviour

Question 2

classical conditioning

Answer 2

investigated by pavlov
learning through association
infants early week things become associated with food they’re presented with

Question 3

before conditions

Answer 3

food (ucs) —> pleasure (ucr)

mother (ns) —> no response

Question 4

during conditioning

Answer 4

NS AND UCS PAIRED

mother and food

Question 5

after conditioning

Answer 5

NS is now CS (learnt behaviour) —->
(mother and food)

pleasure (CR)

Question 6

operant conditions

Answer 6

learning through reinforcement SKINNER
MILLER said attachment based on drive reduction theory. drive is something that motivates behaviour.

hungry infants drive to reduce the discomfort
when infant is fed drive is reduced, feel pressure.
this is rewarding called negative reinforcement - carrying behaviour avoid negative consequence. food becomes PRIMARY REINFORCER as it supplies reward,

attachment occurs as the chile seeks the person who supply reward

Question 7

social learning theory

Answer 7

learning through observing others and imitating behaviour that are rewarded -

Question 8

strengths

Answer 8

has explanatory power - infants learn through association and reinforcement but food isn’t main reinforcer, can be attention from caregiver, learning theory can explain aspects of attachment

Question 9

limitation

Answer 9

lacks vLidity - theory based on animal studies - such as SKINNER with PIGEONS - not all human behaviour can be explained by conditioning