Explanations Flashcards
How does behaviourist theory see attachment?
Classical conditioning says a baby associates the mother and food so it will feel pleasure when the mother is around
How might operant conditioning work with attachment?
Babies are hungry. When they are fed this removes the discomfort which is negative reinforcement.
Name one problem with learning theories understanding of attachment
It is reductionist
Most of the evidence comes from animal research
Give 1 strength of LT
It has lots of support from scientific research
Who came up with the Monotropic Theory of Attachment?
Bowlby 1951
Is Bowlby’s theory an evolutionary theory?
Yes
How did Bowlby link attachment to evolution?
It has developed through natural selection to ensure the survival of the child
How many attachments did Bowlby say we form and why?
1 - the mother is a safe base and ensures food and protection
What is Bowlby’s internal working model?
Infant attachment gives us a template for all future relationships
What is the critical period for attachment according to Bowlby?
The first three years of life
Name a study that supports Bowlby’s theory
Harlow’s study of geese
Name a study that goes against Bowlby’s theory
Schaffer and Emerson 1964
What is monotropy?
When you form one main attachment
What are the 6 evaluation points for Bowlby’s theory?
1 Harlow’s cloth mothers
2 Schaffer and Emerson
3 Harlow’s isolation monkeys
4 critical period - evidence?
5 not so bad
6 1950s mums
