Explanations for attachment

Question 1

What is the learning theory?

Answer 1

The belief that attachments develop through conditioning processes

Question 2

How does classical conditioning fit with the learning theory?

Answer 2

Attachments are learned by the stimulus of food (unconditioned stimulus) which produces a natural response of pleasure (unconditioned response) paired with a caregiver (conditioned response). After several paired presentations the infants learns to associate pleasure with the caregiver even if food is not present

Question 3

How does operant conditioning fit with the learning theory?

Answer 3

By the law of effect any action that has a pleasurable outcome- known as reinforcements- will be repeated again. Attachments occur through caregivers becoming associated with reducing the unpleasant feeling of hunger so the caregiver becomes a reward itself.

Question 4

Research to support operant conditioning?

Answer 4

Dollard and Miller 1950 argued that in their first year babies are generally fed by their main caregivers which creates ample opportunity for the carer to become associated with the removal of hunger- negative reinforcement

Question 5

What experiment opposes the learning theory?

Answer 5

Schaffer and Emerson 1964- 39% of cases the mother usually the main caregiver was not the main attachment which suggests feeding is not the explanation of attachment

Question 6

Evaluation of learning theory?

Answer 6

It is a reductionist approach- simple cause and effect, does not take into account internal mental processes
Attachments are more complex behaviours with an intense emotional component
Schaffer argued learning theory is wrong way round babies eat to live not live to eat
Bowlby argues babies only need food occasionally but constantly require emotional security- food not main reason