Explanation of Attachment: Learning Theory Flashcards
What did Dollard and Miller (1950) suggest about the learning theory of attachment?
Importance of food (Cupboard love)
What are the main predictions of the social learning theory?
- The child will form attachments on the basis of feeding
- Attachment behaviour should increase steadily from birth
- The strongest attachments will be with those who feed the child the most
What is an example of classical conditioning involving food?
Pavlov’s dogs
What does operant conditioning suggest why babies cry?
- Crying leads to a response from a caregiver
- Correct response will be reinforced so to produce a pleasurable response
What is hunger according to the learning theory?
Primary drive (innate biological motivator)
What is an attachment according to the learning theory?
Secondary drive learned through association
Does Lorenz’s imprinted geese’s support or limits the learning theory?
Limits - as imprinted attachment regardless of food
Does Harlow’s monkeys support or limits the learning theory?
Limits - as monkeys preferred comfort over food
Why should the animals studies support the learning theory?
As the animals and humans are seen by the learning approach to be the same
What conflicting evidence did Schaffer and Emerson (1964) find?
That food does not show to be an important factor as primary attachment was not formed with those who fed them the most
Why are the learning theory reductionist?
As they ignore other factors such as temperament or attachments developing due to a high quality of reciprocity
What other theory has developed suggesting that attachments develop due to parents acting a models?
Social Learning Theory
