Explanation Of Attachment : Learning Theory Flashcards
What is ‘learning theory’
A set of theories from the behaviourist approach that emphasise the role of learning in the acquisition of behaviour
What are the 2 types of explanations of learning that the learning theory involves
Classical and operant conditioning
Who studied the learning theory and attachment
Dollard and miller
What is the learning theory approach also called
‘Cupboard Love’
why is the learning theory approach called ‘cupboard love’
Because dollard and miller emphasises the importance of the attachment figure that provides food
Any questions on classical or operant conditioning go to the section…..
Where it talks about the behaviourist approach in the ‘approaches’ deck
What else does the learning theory draw on other than the types of conditioning
Concept of drive reduction
What are the 2 types of drive
Primary and secondary drive
What is a primary drive
Innate, mostly biological motivators such as hunger , we are motivated to eat do that we can reduce the hunger drive
What is a secondary drive
A drive that is the result of the satisfaction of a primary drive
What type of drive is attachment and why
It’s a secondary drive as it is learned by an association between the caregiver and the satisfaction of a primary drive
What is Sears et al suggest about attachment and drive
As caregivers provide food, the primary drive of hunger becomes generalised to them
What is one limitation of the learning theory
There is a lack of support from studies conducted on animals and that there are other factors other than association with food are important in the formation if attachment
What is a further limitation of the learning theory
That there is a lack of support from studies of human babies and that the factors aren’t retaliated to food. Examples are: Schaffer and Emerson found that children tend to form an attachment with their mother even if they don’t tend to be the one that feeds them. Isabella found that high levels of interactional synchrony predicted the quality of attachment
What is a strength of the learning theory
That there are some elements of conditioning involved in attachment. Although it is unlikely that association with food is the central role in attachment but conditioning may still play a role. E.g. baby’s may associate warmth and comfort itch a certain adult which could be the reason for the attachment. this shows that the learning theory may still be useful in understanding the development in attachment
