Explanations for attachment - learning theory

Question 1

What is classical conditioning

Answer 1

Learning through association

Question 2

Give an example of classical conditioning referring to a mother, baby and food

Answer 2

Before:
Food (Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)) = Pleasure (Unconditioned response (UCR))
PAF (Neutral stimulus (NS)) = No response
During:
PAF (NS) + Food (UCS) = Pleasure (UCR)
After:
PAF (Conditioned stimulus (CS)) = Pleasure (Conditioned response))

Question 3

How can stimulus generalisation influence a response to the conditioned stimulus

Answer 3

Once a person has been trained to respond to a stimulus, very similar stimuli may produce the same response as well - can be problematic

Question 4

What is operant conditioning

Answer 4

Learning through consequences

Question 5

What does operant conditioning result in

Answer 5

Behaviour being repeated or not

Question 6

What are primary and secondary reinforcers and why

Answer 6

Primary - hunger as it is innate and natural

Secondary - attachment as it is learned by association between a caregiver and hunger (primary)

Question 7

What is a positive reinforcer

Answer 7

Something that rewards behaviour

Question 8

What is a negative reinforcer

Answer 8

When a response is aimed to avoid something unpleasant

Question 9

What are positive evaluation points for learning theory

Answer 9

Scientific validated theory - backed by Pavlov/skinner and can also explain Phobia explanations and mental health treatments

Question 10

What are negative evaluation points for learning theory

Answer 10

Flaws from other research - Schaffer and Emerson, 39% main attachment figure did not feed or bath them

Research which refutes - Harlow found monkeys preferred comfort over food

Other explanations - Bowlby’s monotropic theory can explain how we evolved into attachments